Commercial rafting companies may be interested in new rules being proposed by Transport Canada. There is a sixty day window for comments on the proposed regulations.
Canadian Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honorable Lawrence Cannon announced on 14 August 2007 proposed new regulations to establish industry wide standards for commercial river rafting operations on Canadian rivers.
Minister Cannon says, "These proposed regulations are an important step forward to help ensure that a set of comprehensive and consistent standards protect participants in commercial river rafting excursions across the country. They also demonstrate Canada's New Government's commitment to ensuring the safety of all Canadians on our waterways."
The proposed new regulations for rafts are known as Special-Purpose Vessels by the government. These new rules will establish uniform standards that apply to all the waters of Canada. Currently commercial rafting is regulated in a river-by-river regime found in the Canadian Boating Restriction Regulations. These proposed standards for commercial rafting companies will include provisions requiring the use of life jackets, record keeping for three years, establishment of a formal rescue plans and development of passenger safety briefings.
These new regulations are meant to better ensure rafting industry compliance with the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) that governs marine safety in commercial and recreational boating activities, and protection of the marine environment. Proposed regulations were printed in the Canada Gazette, Part I on Saturday, August 11, 2007. A 60-day response period follows for interested boaters that wish to comment on the regulations. Visit the Canadian Marine Advisory Council website for more information on CSA 2001 and future regulation of commercial rafting.
