OUR MISSION: To be a leading voice in promoting safe, quiet waterways and respectful boating practices through education, advocacy and legislative change. | | |
Happy August!
We have some exciting news to share! We are thrilled to announce that Safe Quiet Lakes has met the requirements and is now registered as a Federal Charity. This is a major milestone and we’re excited about the opportunities this opens for future growth. For all of our generous donors this means that we can now issue charitable receipts and that we can accept and give donations from like minded charitable organizations.
We are very proud of Safe Quiet Lakes’ journey as an organization. Formed in 2011 by lake association executives in Muskoka who wanted more focus on boating issues, we have grown substantially since then. We have conducted 4 major surveys, the latest of which was the largest lake issue survey in North America with over 7,100 respondents. Each of these surveys showed an increasing concern for excessive wakes, boat engine noise and safety on our waters. In response we created and distributed educational material through lake associations and municipalities. As the issues evolved it was apparent that we needed more advocacy and legislative solutions so we created the National Decibel Coalition and with these partners worked with Transport Canada to develop decibel limit regulations that should be released in the spring of 2027. In response to increasing concerns about the environmental impact of wake boats we created the Safe Wakes Coalition and have recently launched an educational campaign on better surfing zones.
We are thankful to all of our supporters and donors who are have been part of the journey and we look forward to continuing our important work together.
Wishing you a safe and fun summer!
Warm regards,
Diana Piquette
Chair, Safe Quiet Lakes
| |
Wake Surf Responsibly Postcards Now Available
| | |
Help spread the message about responsible boating and protecting our lakes!
Our new Wake Surf Responsibly postcards are now available to download, print, and distribute. They're perfect for sharing with friends, neighbours, cottagers, marina customers, and members of your lake association to encourage safe wake practices and lake stewardship.
Looking for additional resources? We also offer newsletter articles, educational materials, and other printable resources to support your boating safety and education efforts.
Download the postcards and other free resources HERE.
| |
New Boating Safety Resources from Transport Canada
| | |
Transport Canada has updated its collection of free boating safety resources, including guides, checklists, and educational materials to help you stay safe on the water.
Whether you're a new or experienced boater, it's worth taking a few minutes to explore the latest information before your next outing.
Visit the Transport Canada Boating Safety Resources page HERE to learn more.
| | Boating Safety & Etiquette | | Boaters: Have You Checked Your Pleasure Craft Licence Lately? | | |
If your boat has a Pleasure Craft Licence, now is a great time to make sure the information is up to date.
If you've recently moved, changed your contact information, or transferred ownership of your boat, you must update your licence records with Transport Canada.
Keeping your information current helps authorities identify your vessel in an emergency and ensures your records remain accurate. It's a quick check that can make a big difference.
FYI: A boat licence (the Pleasure Craft Operator Card or PCOC) is for the driver, while a pleasure craft licence (PCL) is for the boat itself
Find more info HERE.
| | |
Welcome to The Pulse, a new feature in our newsletter designed to spark conversation about issues affecting our lakes and waterways.
Each edition, we'll pose a question on a current boating, environmental, or waterfront topic and invite you to share your perspective. There are no right or wrong answers—we're simply interested in hearing the diverse views of our readers.
This month's question:
When it comes to personal watercraft (PWCs), what behaviour or issue most affects your enjoyment and safety on the water? What are possible solutions?
We'd love to hear your thoughts. Simply reply to the newsletter or email outreach@safequiet.ca
| |
Safe Quiet Lakes Survey Presented to Lake of Bays Council
| |
Our latest Your Lakes, Your Views survey is making headlines. A recent Huntsville Forester article by Rebecca Hudescu highlights the findings from more than 7,000 respondents, including over 300 participants from Lake of Bays.
Safe Quiet Lakes Board Director Rob Bosomworth recently presented the findings of our Your Lakes, Your Views survey to Lake of Bays Council.
Read the full article in the Huntsville Forester HERE.
Photo Lake of Bays council during a July 14 council meeting where Rob Bosomworth presented results from the Safe Quiet Lake survey.
Rebecca Hudescu screenshot
|
Waking Up and Saving Shorelines
| | |
Safe Quiet Lakes' own Tim James is featured in the recent article, Waking Up and Saving Shorelines, published in both the Haliburton Highlander and the Minden Times.
The article highlights the impacts of boat wakes on our lakes and shorelines, along with SQL's work to promote responsible boating through education and outreach.
Read the full story here.
| | |
Farmers' Markets: Stop by our upcoming Farmers' Market booths to meet our team, ask questions, and grab educational materials for the boating season.
Pop-up Booths: Watch for our pop-up outreach booth at the Port Carling Locks and Hanna Park, where we'll be sharing boating safety information and promoting respectful enjoyment of our waterways.
Follow us on Instagram for news on where to find us https://www.instagram.com/safequietlakes/
| | Welcome to Our Newest Board Member | | |
Tim Bahr is a U.S. Citizen and Canadian Permanent Resident. He has owned a cottage in Minden since 1996 with his Canadian wife. He is an entrepreneur who has developed and sold healthcare focused video production and digital media companies in Chicago and New York. His first company was the largest producer and distributor of healthcare video in the U.S. when it was sold. He was also a partner in the Chicago restaurant review show, Check, Please!
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Tim is now retired and splits his time between Minden and Evanston, Illinois. He also serves on Canning Lake Property Owners Association Board of Directors.
He loves the outdoors and has been leading an effort to educate residents on his lake about wakes. This included a wake study he helped organize with Dr. Chris Houser in 2023.
| | Community Outreach Across Muskoka | | |
July was a busy month for our outreach team. We delivered presentations at the Acton Island Association AGM, Moore Lake Association AGM, Horseshoe Lake AGM, Lake of Bays Township Council and Township of Muskoka Lakes Council, sharing information about responsible boating, wake awareness, and the work of Safe Quiet Lakes.
We also connected with hundreds of residents and visitors at the Antique & Classic Boat Show in Gravenhurst and several local farmers' markets, where we distributed educational materials, answered questions, and promoted safe and respectful boating practices. These events provide valuable opportunities to engage directly with the community and continue building awareness across the region.
If your lake association, municipality, community group, or event would like a presentation or outreach booth, we'd be happy to join you. We can provide educational resources, answer questions, and share practical information to help promote safer, quieter, and more respectful boating on our waterways.
| | Welcome Our Summer Student Jonah! | | |
We're pleased to welcome Jonah Gonthier to Safe Quiet Lakes as our summer student. Jonah has lived in Baysville for the past 13 years and enjoys spending time outdoors fishing and hunting, as well as playing guitar.
This fall, he'll be attending Nipissing University. Jonah brings a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to take on new challenges, and we're excited to have him supporting our education and outreach initiatives this summer.
You can contact Jonah at summerprograms@safequiet.ca
| | A message from our partners at the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA): | | Make sure your voice is heard - act now to protect your vote in the October Municipal Election | | |
If you care about boating issues and how it affects our lakes and enjoyment and safety, then it's important to have your say in the coming municipal election on October 26, 2026.
Many seasonal residents are unaware that they and their spouses may vote in every Ontario municipality where they own or rent property.
This year, the Muskoka Lakes Association urges you to act now to confirm you are on the voters list by checking registertovoteon.ca before August 12, even if you've voted municipally before. It's especially important for secondary property owners - many have found their information was omitted since Elections Ontario took over the list recently. Call Elections Ontario at 1.866.242.3025 if you need help.
You can still register after Aug 12 through your municipal clerk or their website. Contact your municipal clerk office for assistance.
Registered voters will receive a voter information letter in September with a personal identification number (PIN) and voting instructions.Vote on-line or by phone.
Candidate information is available on your local municipal websites and the MLA's election details can be found at https://www.mla.on.ca/Election-2026
Protect the lake life you hold dear by making your voice heard. Join the MLA to support protection of our shorelines and water, safe boating, responsible development and fair taxation
[https://mla.on.ca/Membership]
| | |
We build partnerships to encourage conversations about respectful boating and to lead change through education and advocacy. Your donation will help drive our programs.
Have questions? Contact us at outreach@safequiet.ca
| | | | |
