The Decibel Coalition has been working for almost 2.5 years to make our lakes quieter by getting the regulations enhanced to include decibel limits for boat motor noise. Great strides have been made. The Coalition has over 55 lake and environmental association members and 9 municipal governments from BC to Quebec. Together the associations represent over 95,000 Canadians.

Transport Canada is responsible for regulations on Canadian waterways and in March they opened up a public consultation on their Let’s Talk web portal. They presented 5 options regarding boat muffler and noise emission levels. The Decibel Coalition supports option 5 which is to introduce performance standards, i.e. decibel limits, for both manufacturers and vessel operators to follow. These standards would make sure vessels don’t exceed certain decibel limits. The Coalition believes that the decibel limits must be accompanied by efficient, effective enforcement procedures that make it easy for police to use on the water.

The Transport Canada Let’s Talk consultation closed on May 13. Almost 2000 responses were received with more than 98% in favour of decibel limits. This has sent a very loud and direct message to Transport Canada that action must be taken.  (NOTE: PARCS was one of the responders to this consultation, supporting the work of the Decibel Coalition.)

A Message from the Chair of SAFE QUIET LAKES: 



Spring is here and we are all excited and looking forward to a new season by the lake. It’s also a time for reflection on everything that has happened in the year gone by. It has been a good year in moving forward on the objectives for Safe Quiet Lakes - we have accomplished a lot!

Much time had been spent preparing for, launching then analyzing our Lake Study. It was very affirming that over 6,000 people responded to the survey with their views. It reinforced our mandate and informed us to increase our focus on advocacy and legislative changes that can be enforced. It also confirmed that we need to be federally positioned to make these changes.

Transport Canada opened talks for changes to the boat muffler law this spring which is a great win for our decibel project. And our work with a government relations firm over the past few months has brought us to a new level of understanding on how to make changes to the issues we care about. This along with the large national coalition of like minded organizations that we have built will be the platform for future advocacy issues.

Another success was the growth of bright people on our board and volunteering on our committees. This year we again welcome new talent helping us promote our messages for safe and respectful boating. For all who give us your time and financial contributions - thank you.   

Warm regards, Diana Piquette, Chair, Safe Quiet Lakes

About Safe Quiet Lakes  - Safe Quiet Lakes is a not-for-profit community group of boaters that promote safe, respectful boating.