CSBC NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025 | | |
In this issue
- Message from the Chair
- CSBC Symposium Kingston
- CSBC Cold Water Workshops News
- Québec Safe Boating Awareness Week 2025
- City of Edmonton Introduces Mandatory Lifejacket by-Law
- New Boating Safety Posters from Transport Canada
- Nominate a CASBA Hero!
- Don’t Miss Out: Mustang Survival Discount for CSBC Members!
- In Brief
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Words can’t express what a privilege and honour it is to have been elected as the new Chair of the CSBC. The focus and resolve of our volunteers, their organizations and our other partners that make up the Council and contribute to our mission are extraordinary, and to be part of such an organization is truly inspiring. We all owe Mike Dean much gratitude for his service as Chair. His steady, empowering, and measured leadership over the past two years has continued to grow this organization and its influence within the safe boating community. We all look forward to continuing to work with Mike over the coming years.
This year was the first year of a refresh of our ongoing Safe Boating Awareness Week program. Many events across the country were hosted and attended by our members, their organizations, our new safe boating ambassadors, stakeholders and partners. The reach through traditional and social media was very impressive. Many thanks to all for such an incredible effort. We are looking forward to even more events next year as we continue to add to our toolkit of resources for this initiative.
As you might have read in our last edition of the News Splash, our new safe boating ambassador program is underway. Our members and board had an opportunity to meet them at our May AGM and the public had the opportunity to see some of them in action during our Safe Boating Awareness Week events. We are very grateful for their dedication to the safe boating message – we received many positive comments about their contribution. And many thanks to the steering committee for all of their hours of hard work getting this initiative launched.
Our annual Symposium Annual Symposium – Canadian Safe Boating Council is just around the corner. It will be held in Kingston, Ontario at the Holiday Inn located right at the waterfront. It is scheduled for September 23 - 25 and promises to be a memorable and exciting event. We are also hosting an in-person cold water workshop Cold Water Workshops – Canadian Safe Boating Council at the same hotel just prior to the symposium on September 21 and 22. This will be taught by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht. Details and registration for both of these worthwhile events can be found on our website.
As we move through the boating season and a cooler and wet spring has become a much hotter and drier summer in many parts of Canada, I hope that all of our members take the time to enjoy the water with family and friends. As a reminder, we are always on the lookout for nominations for our Canadian Safe Boating Awards. Although presented in January, we accept and encourage award nominations at any time during the year.
Enjoy your summer!
Peter
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Solutions Through Partnerships: Charting a Course for Marine Safety
September 23–25, 2025
Holiday Inn Waterfront, Kingston, ON
$395 Includes: full symposium access, opening reception, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, closing banquet and off-site networking tour of the Great Lakes Museum.
Join marine safety professionals, educators, and advocates from across Canada for three action-packed days of:
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Inspiring speakers and hands-on discussions about today’s top boating safety issues
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Dynamic networking opportunities with passionate stakeholders and decision-makers
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Fresh insights into enforcement, education, innovation, and community partnerships
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Collaborative problem-solving sessions designed to help us all chart a safer future on the water
Whether you're a policymaker, first responder, educator, or advocate, this is your chance to learn, connect, and make a real impact.
Featured Speakers Include:
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Enforcement Panel: Hear directly from on-the-water enforcement officers on the real challenges they face and how we can work together.
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Dawn Wilson, CEO, First Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary – Indigenous leadership in marine rescue.
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Rick Layzell, CEO, Boating Ontario – How industry is stepping up for safety.
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Richard Wasson, His Majesty’s Coastguard (UK) – Back by popular demand, with insights from across the Atlantic.
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Mike Poehlmann, Sr. Advisor, Ontario Power Generation – Balancing public safety and hydro operations on waterways.
New for 2025: Inspire the Next Generation
We invite symposium attendees to join a special career exploration event for local high school students on Wednesday, September 24, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. It's a casual, high-impact meet-and-greet where youth can explore meaningful futures in marine safety. Want to be part of this pilot event? Email us at symposium@csbc.ca
REGISTER NOW! Annual Symposium – Registration – Canadian Safe Boating Council. Space is limited — secure your spot early!
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM BY SEPTEMBER 1 TO GET THE SPECIAL CSBC RATE! Annual Symposium – Canadian Safe Boating Council
Show Your Support in Style
Pre-order your CSBC Special Edition T-Shirt and pick it up at the Symposium!
Order Now (limited quantities available! Symposium T-Shirts – Canadian Safe Boating Council T-shirts du symposium – Conseil canadien de la sécurité nautique
| | CSBC Cold Water Workshops News | | |
Upcoming In-Person Workshops
Registration is now open for the next in-person workshop, led by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht. It will be held on September 21 and 22 in Kingston, just before the Kingston Symposium. Register at Cold Water Workshops (csbc.ca)
The CSBC is also organizing another in-person workshop on October 15 and 16 in Listiguj, QC.
Virtual Workshops
Planning is under way for the fall/winter series of Virtual Workshops in November, January, February and March. More news to follow on our website and social media!
New Online Course Expands CSBC Cold Water Awareness Offerings
| | You’re bringing it? Wear it! | | |
Nautisme Québec led the province-wide celebration of Québec Safe Boating Awareness Week from June 16 - 22 with a press release, media interviews, and an information booth at the Port de plaisance de La Ronde marina to educate boaters. They focussed on the following key messages:
Be Prepared
Use a checklist before departure to make sure the boat has fuel, is operating well and that safety equipment is on board, in good shape and easily accessible
Wear Your Lifejacket
You should carry a lifejacket for everyone on board. Don’t just bring it, wear it!
Trip Plan
Prepare a trip plan and share it with somebody close to you
Empty, Wash, Dry
Avoid spreading invasive aquatic species by cleaning your vessel
Courtesy on the Water
Respect other boaters in all types of boats, both motor and human powered, as well as riverside residents
Impaired Abilities
Don’t operate your vessel when you are impaired by drugs, alcohol or a combination of both. This behaviour is dangerous and illegal.
Nautisme Québec published boating safety messages on social networks, and provided an awareness kit as well as videos and other materials to stakeholders to support them in spreading the messages across the boating safety community in Québec.
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Increasing Safety Measures on the Water - City of Edmonton Introduces Mandatory Lifejacket Bylaw
With thanks to the City of Edmonton for content
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The North Saskatchewan River is a hallmark of Edmonton’s landscape and a popular destination for those eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. It is used all year round for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, gold panning and more. In 2024, members of the City of Edmonton Marine Unit conducted 9400 Safety Compliance checks to ensure that the public was enjoying the water safely.
With a significant increase in river usage and violations under the Canada Shipping Act and Small Vessel Regulations over the last five years, the City of Edmonton has introduced an amendment to its Public Spaces Bylaw. As of May 12, 2025, lifejackets or a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be worn at all times while in, on, or holding onto any vessel navigating on the North Saskatchewan River or other body of water within City limits.
This bylaw helps increase river safety for river users and is a step toward preventing drownings on the North Saskatchewan River within the City of Edmonton. In turn, this benefits the Marine Units with rescue assistance and ensures everyone is safe on the water. The bylaw aims to help those in case of an emergency, as the lifejacket would keep the user afloat in the water, greatly increasing their likelihood of survival.
To learn more about river safety and the City of Edmonton visit edmonton.ca/riversafety.
| | New Boating Safety Posters from Transport Canada | | Which can you spot this summer? | | As you’re out on the water this summer, keep your eyes open for people who go above and beyond in their contribution to boating safety, and nominate them for a Canadian Safe Boating Award (CASBA). The next awards ceremony will take place on Sunday January 18, 2026 at the National Yacht Club, Stadium Road in Toronto. Go to CASBAS Nomination Form – Canadian Safe Boating Council to learn more. Nominations close October 31, 2025. | | |
There’s still time for CSBC Members to take advantage of the Mustang Survival 40% discount program! The 40% discount applies to Mustang Survival recreational gear and will be in effect until December 31, 2025. To renew or take out a new CSBC membership, go to https://csbc.ca/en/about-us/membership, and contact our Executive Support Officer at john.mcmullen@teksavvy.com to find out how you can access the discount.
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The mandate of the Canadian Coast Guard is being expanded and the agency is being moved to the National Defence portfolio. Detailed plans are under development. DM/CDS Message: Update on Defence Investments - Canada.ca
Our intrepid CSBC Directors John Gullick and Michael Vollmer and Executive Support Officer John McMullen ran into each other at the Gravenhurst Antique Boat Show on July 12 – what a great event! Thanks to Chris Bullen of the Antique and Classic Boat Society of Toronto for these photos.
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