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Floating Accommodations Update and who to contact if you see one
We are incredibly pleased to report that substantial progress has been made since our last update. As a recap, as of May 1, Parks Canada has implemented Mooring Restrictions that specifically restricts floating accommodations from mooring on the Trent-Severn Canal and Rideau Canal without a permit. Parks Canada’s permit system also brings the federal agency into alignment with provincial restrictions around floating accommodations. On July 1, 2023, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources amended Regulation 161/17 under the Public Lands Act to prevent floating accommodations from being placed or used as a camping unit on provincially managed waterways.
In addition, Transport Canada last fall, conducted two online consultations – one providing an opportunity to comment on their proposed approach to modernize the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) and the other, seeking thoughts about how to manage vessels that anchor long-term on shared waterways. They received many comments concerning floating accommodations (among other things), thanks in large part to the efforts of our collective cottage associations. The full text and next steps for both consultations can be found here:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/consultations/what-we-heard-long-term-anchoring
The Tri-Level working group consisting of representatives from Parks Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ontario Provincial Police and the municipal Townships of Georgian Bay, Severn and Tay as well as members of the Gloucester Pool Cottagers’ Association and the Floating Accommodations not Vessels Coalition continue to meet. The Tri-Level working group has met four times since April and all stakeholders are energized and motivated to be working together building a cohesive approach to the many challenges posed by floating accommodations.
As floating accommodations are popping up in different locations across Ontario occupying Federal and Provincial waterways or even on private properties, the Tri-Level working group created a flowchart to help identify who the responsible authority may be and to identify the potential regulatory tools that may apply. The flowchart on the following page has been provided for your information and it includes the contact information for each jurisdiction. If you see a floating accommodation, please refer to the flowchart and email or call the corresponding number that has been provided so the enforcement piece of the regulations can be initiated. Note that municipal boundaries can sometimes be confusing so confirming the township where its located is important.
We are aware that some floating accommodation units have been locked through from Little Lake into Georgian Bay and now sit in the general vicinity of Green Island (Township of Georgian Bay). We’ve also heard reports of a unit that was in Midland and another that was seen heading north of Parry Sound.
Floating Accommodations remain a problem for all waterways in Ontario and we will continue to work with all vested stakeholders – cottage associations, multiple government ministries and agencies as well as the Tri-Level working group. It’s a coordinated approach as we seek solutions and enforcement options.
Who to Contact
