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Source: Canadian Marine Manufacturers Association
October 23, 2006
While boats with marine sanitation devices (MSDs) or ‘heads’ operating in fresh
water in central Canada have long been required to have holding tanks for ‘black
water’, Transport Canada (TC) has recently proposed new sewage regulations that
will impact all boats and boaters across Canada – those on the coasts as well as
fresh water boaters.
Highlights of the proposal include: (i) mandatory holding tanks for all boats,
including those operating in tidal water; (ii) keeping log books that record
when and where the holding tanks are pumped out; (iii) retention of receipts for
the pump-out activities carried out by the boat’s owner; (iv) retention of
records to be supplied, upon request, to inspectors appointed by TC.
TC has overlooked enormous negative feedback from the Pacific Recreational
Boating Advisory Council (RBAC) and the Pacific Canadian Marine Advisory Council
(CMAC). They have also overlooked the fact these new rules do not consider the
negative impact on tourism, nor the lack of pump-out facilities in most of the
areas where these new rules will come into effect.
In short, TC is not listening to the boating community. And, while this issue
will impact all boaters, to date, only those in salt water boating areas have
expressed concerns.
The BC Marine Trades Association (BCMTA) is leading the campaign against these
new regulations, with assistance from CMMA and the Atlantic Marine Trades
Association (AMTA). However, it is imperative the entire Canadian marine
industry rally behind the effort to stop the passage of this legislation.
BCMTA is urging members of the recreational boating community to write their
local MP, the Minister of Transport and the Prime Minister to express their
concerns and let them know what will happen to your business should these
guidelines go through.
http://www.discoverboating.ca/cmma/home.cfm
http://www.tc.gc.ca/en/menu.htm
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