OUR MISSION: To be a leading voice in promoting safe, quiet waterways and respectful boating practices through education, advocacy and legislative change.

May 2025 Newsletter

Chair’s Message

After a rather long winter it feels wonderful to say welcome to a new season at the cottage! It's always exciting to be back on the lake. And this summer has plenty in store for us at SQL!

Mark your calendars for the launch of our 2025 Your Lakes Your Views on June 17th. This initiative will include even more lake communities across the province and offer us invaluable insights into your perspectives on lake-related issues.

We’re planning an in-person Stakeholder meeting and looking forward to discussing key challenges and potential solutions with lake association executives and municipal officials. 

In addition, we’ll be updating our Boater Code signs at local marinas and public docks. It’s been quite a while since many of these signs were last refreshed, and our goal is to modernize them all over the next few seasons.

Lastly, please give a warm welcome to our new Programs Manager, Matt, and our new Board Director, Dr. Tim James!

We truly appreciate your continued support and interest in our work. If you have any feedback or are interested in volunteering, please feel free to reach out to me at chair@safequiet.ca.

Warm regards,

Diana Piquette

Chair, Safe Quiet Lakes

Your Lakes, Your Views

It's time to raise your voice and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our lakes and waterways.

Safe Quiet Lakes is proud to present the most thorough surveys of lake users ever conducted in Ontario. Our "Your Lakes Your Views" surveys from 2013, 2017, and 2021 have collected nearly 10,000 responses, providing valuable insights into the activities, concerns, and priorities of those who enjoy our beautiful lakes. The results from these surveys have informed local and federal governments, as well as lake associations, helping them develop effective programs and strategies based on the real needs of the community. These surveys shape our actions and priorities moving forward.

Mark your calendars for June 17! We’ll be launching the latest version of this comprehensive survey at safequiet.ca

You can log in from any device, anywhere, and contribute to setting a course for the future of our lakes.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make an impact!

Welcome from the new Programs Manager

Safe Quiet Lakes is thrilled to welcome our new programs manager, Matt Driscoll.

A resident of Bracebridge, Matt brings a wealth of experience in journalism and program management from his time with other Muskoka-based not-for-profits.

After falling in love with the stunning scenery, breathtaking vistas, and the wonderful people of this unique part of Canada, he made Muskoka his home 15 years ago. Now, alongside his wife Heather and their two adventurous boys, Matt is even more motivated to contribute to preserving the area's natural beauty and preservation by joining the Safe Quiet Lakes team.

With a busy summer on the horizon, Matt is eager to dive in and collaborate with this dynamic group of individuals who share his passion for safe, quiet waterways and respectful boating practices 

If you have any questions or just want to connect, feel free to reach out to him at outreach@safequiet.ca. Let’s make this summer one to remember!

Safe Boating Awareness Week

Safe Boating Awareness Week has been the mainstay of boating safety to over 16 million people who recreate on Canadian waters.

Many are getting onto the water in time for Safe Boating Awareness week, and we want to remind you of five key messages for boating safely.

The Candian Safe Boating Council's Safe Boating Awareness Week messages this season are:

1. Wear Your Lifejacket - Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing their lifejacket or not wearing it properly. There are so many choices for lifejackets / personal floatation devices on the market now, it is easy to pick one that suits your ‘boating style’ and is one that you are comfortable wearing all the time you are on the water.
2. Boat Sober - Whether it’s prescription drugs, alcohol or cannabis, the use of intoxicants is both irresponsible and illegal. In some provinces, being convicted of impaired operation will also affect your automobile license.
3. Take a Boating Course – If you are operating a powered recreational vessel, you should have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card or some other proof of competency. But that is just as start, so consider taking some advanced courses. If your boating preference tends towards paddle, this is the perfect time to enroll in some on water training. Or if you are just starting out, log onto and start your boating in a paddle craft responsibly. The site is not a substitute for on water training, but it does provide a great first step in education about paddle craft.
4. Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel- Make sure you and your boat are up to your planned on-water activities. That means you are knowledgeable about your upcoming trip, your boat is properly equipped with the required and good to have safety equipment, the weather is suitable for the voyage, you have sufficient fuel and you have filed a trip plan. Plus, this is not all about you…it is important to keep in mind that by staying out of trouble you will not be putting pressure on rescue resources.
5. Be Cold Water Safe - Cold water can severely impact your ability to swim or even just stay afloat. Even the best swimmers will feel the effects of a sudden cold-water immersion. No matter your swimming ability, best chance of surviving an accidental cold-water immersion is to wear your lifejacket!

To find more, visit the CSBC website HERE.

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