April 14, 2022

Dear Transport Canada,

I write today in response to your consultation on small vessel noise emissions.

Our Lake Association represents 350 members who are property owners on the Big Rideau Lake in Ontario.

Excessive noise from performance boats intentionally running off muffler has been an ongoing problem for decades.

We have initiated numerous discussions over the past 5 years with the regional OPP office for Lanark County and they acknowledge the problem exists and are supportive but have taken the position that they simply do not have the resources required to control the operation of boats generating excessive noise.

5 years ago,Transport Canada at our request reviewed the Big Rideau Lake and confirmed in writing that nowhere on Big Rideau Lake can you be more than 5 nautical miles from shore yet increasingly, high performance boats use Big Rideau Lake as an ‘offshore’ venue, running off muffler knowing the law cannot be enforced.

We fully support efforts to address the growing problem of excessive small vessel boat motor noise that is having a significant impact on the members of our community. Increased numbers of day boaters will no doubt intensify this issue. Making no changes, as outlined in Option #1, is simply not feasible.

We believe Option #5 is the most effective and comprehensive solution. We call on Transport Canada to develop and implement noise emission standards, measured in decibels, for manufacturers, importers and vessel operators to follow. These must be accompanied by efficient and effective enforcement procedures. This will ensure that new and existing vessels don’t exceed reasonable noise-emission levels.

While we recognize that there may be modest equipment and training costs to enforce the standards, it is a small price to pay to restore the peaceful enjoyment, health and safety of Canada’s waterways. The vast majority of boat owners do not have excessively noisy boats. A small number of boat operators may need to modify their vessels to meet new requirements but most will simply need to make use of the existing muffler system and not bypass it via the “captain’s choice” feature.

Transport Canada, this is a very important issue for our membership. We thank you for opening this consultation to explore pathways to resolution and ask that you please take the most conclusive approach represented in Option #5.

Thank you for your consideration. Should you wish to discuss further, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Grant Leslie
President
Big Rideau Lake Association