Canadian Safe Boating Council Symposium 2026: Education Builds Safer Waters/L’Éducation renforce la sécurité des eaux | | |
The 2026 Symposium was held from 22 – 24 September in Quebec City. Following is an outline of the program. The presentations will be posted on the CSBC website at Annual Symposium – Canadian Safe Boating Council
Maritime SAR – Moving Forward
Douglas White, Senior Policy Analyst, Search and Rescue, Canadian Coast Guard
Before Leaving the Dock
Chantal D’Allaire, Communications Director, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Québec)
Transport Canada and Regional Office of Boating Safety
Roch Anctil, Boating Safety Officer, Office of Boating Safety, Québec Region
Mini Cold Water Workshop
Facilitators: Ian Gilson, CWW Chair and Brenda Reeve, CSBC Directors
Navigating Seas of Change, Together
Ryan Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Sail Canada
Antisink: A Lifejacket for Your Boat
Katelyn Baker, Director and Chief Marketing Officer, DSS Protection
Beyond the Message: Turning Boating Safety Education into Action
Brenda Reeve, CSBC Education Chair and Director and Cheryl Gallagher, Playsafe Productions
Boating Law Enforcement Panel – Education
Facilitators: S/Sgt. David Charbonneau, Manager, RCMP – National Marine Program, CSBC Director and Sgt. Nicolas Voyer, Nautical Coordinator, Sureté du Québec
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The Power of Collaboration in Creating Groundbreaking Educational Initiatives
Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety and Education, Royal Life Saving Society, United Kingdom
Mustang Survival and the St-Laurent 400: How Offshore Racing Can Promote Boating Safety
Pierre-Olivier Hivon, Mustang Survival and CSBC Ambassador
Canadian Hydrographic Service
Jonathan Morin, Manager, Data Acquisition and Management, Canadian Hydrographic Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Boating Safety: A Shared Responsibility in a Changing Environment
Béatrice Launay, Ph.D, Director of Nautical Sustainability and Community Relations, Nautisme Québec
Waterways Café – Social Media
Facilitated by Michelle McShane, CSBC Director, and featuring CSBC Ambassadors Steve Bull, Pierre-Olivier Hivon and Marybeth McLaughlin, CSBC Ambassadors
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The Quebec Symposium was judged a resounding success by those who completed the post-event survey. 94% stated that the event either met or exceeded their expectations, and 88% indicated that they would attend another CSBC Symposium.
High ratings were given to presentations, on both their relevance to the Symposium’s theme of Education Builds Safer Waters, and the quality of the presentations themselves.:
“Variety and engagement of participants, loved the tours”
“All was interesting, relevant and enjoyable”
“ (Loved) the interaction in the room. Everyone with the same goal, mission and looking for ways to drive it forward. Having the perspective and attendance from the marine police/CCG is brilliant”
“Absolutely fantastic! Informative, entertaining, real and 3 different perspectives”
(Best part) “the in-person networking. Engaging and interesting speakers and topics”
(Best part) “the possibility to visit the icebreaker (or the MRSC and MCTS Centres) was a truly unique and privileged occasion”.
Many thanks to the Symposium Committee, led by Co-Chairs Michelle McShane and Brenda Reeve, together with Arianne Gagné, Joe Gatfield, John McMullen and Jean Murray. Special thanks to Jason Krott for running the audiovisual side of the Symposium, to photographers Ron Kroeker and Lili Colby, and to Dave Moffatt, who as MC kept the program running smoothly.
A special thanks to the Canadian Coast Guard for welcoming us for tours of the CCGS Pierre Radisson icebreaker and the Marine Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) and the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS).
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And a big thank you and our deep appreciation to the following sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible:
Presenting Sponsor
Mustang Survival
Gold Sponsors
Port of Vancouver/Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Yamaha Canada
Silver Sponsors
DSS Protection
Inland
MD Marine
Mercury
Salus
UL
Western Marine/Transat Marine
Bronze Sponsors
April Marine
BOATERexam.com
C-TOW
NMMA Canada
Raymarine
Virtual Marine
| | Ready for the Water: Knowledge, Preparation, Action | | Save the date for the 2027 Canadian Safe Boating Council Symposium in Halifax, Nova Scotia! | | |
Join us at the Lord Nelson Hotel for the 2027 CSBC Symposium as we explore what it takes to be truly Ready for the Water.
Our theme — Knowledge, Preparation, Action — recognizes that safer boating starts long before we launch. It takes the right knowledge, thoughtful preparation and the confidence to put that knowledge into action when it matters.
The 2027 Symposium will bring together boating safety professionals, educators, enforcement agencies, industry representatives, researchers, volunteers and partners from across Canada to share ideas, learn from one another and explore practical approaches to improving safety on our waterways.
With Halifax as our host city, we’ll also have an opportunity to connect with the unique boating community and maritime heritage of Atlantic Canada.
Ready for the Water: Knowledge. Preparation. Action.
| | CSBC Volunteer Recognition Awards 2024 | | |
The Canadian Safe Boating Council relies on the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, directors and other partners to support the mission of our organization and to deliver our safety programs and events. The annual Recognition Awards were presented by CSBC Chair Peter Heard and Recognition Chair Chris Elliott at our Symposium on September 24 in Québec City. Congratulations and many thanks to this year’s award winners for their tremendous contribution to the Canadian Safe Boating Council.
John Gullick
Distinguished Service Citation - In recognition of your exceptional leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the Executive Committee of the Canadian Safe Boating Council
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John McMullen
Distinguished Service Citation - In recognition of your exceptional leadership, dedication, and outstanding service as the Executive Service Officer to the Canadian Safe Boating Council
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Jean Murray
Distinguished Service Citation – In recognition of your exceptional leadership, dedication, and lifelong commitment to the Canadian Safe Boating Council
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Sean Arbour
Certificate of Service – In recognition of your exceptional contribution to the Annual Symposium and dedicated service on the Canadian Safe Boating Council Board of Directors
Jason Krott
Certificate of Service - In recognition of your dedicated service on the Canadian Safe Boating Council Board of Directors
Gaetan Chénier
Certificate of Merit - In recognition of exceptional dedication and longstanding service in advancing the Canadian Safe Boating Council’s bilingual communications
Georgian Bay Association
Certificate of Merit – In recognition of your exceptional commitment to promoting safe and responsible boating practices
Lorne Edwards
Certificate of Merit - In recognition of your exceptional dedication to promoting boating safety and supporting the mission of the Canadian Safe Boating Council
Michelle McShane
Certificate of Merit - In recognition of your exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing CSBC communications and Symposium leadership
Michael Vollmer
Certificate of Merit – In recognition of your exceptional dedication and lasting contribution in securing the trademark for the name and logo of the Canadian Safe Boating Council
| | New Dates for Virtual Cold Water Workshops | | Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) | | |
The Canadian Safe Boating Council is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBA).
This year’s CASBA celebration and dinner will take place at the National Yacht Club in Toronto, Ontario, on Sunday, January 17, 2027. This special event highlights the outstanding contributions of individuals, volunteers, professionals, and organizations dedicated to advancing boating safety and environmental stewardship.
How to Nominate: With 12 award categories, there are many opportunities to recognize deserving leaders in our community. Nomination forms and category details are available on the CSBC Website.
Key Deadline: Please submit your nominations by October 31, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate excellence in boating safety—get your nominations in today!
Tickets to attend are now available and can be purchased here. CASBA Registration – Canadian Safe Boating Council
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to dave.moffatt@csbc.ca
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Drowning Reports
With thanks to the Lifesaving Society
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Increased Traffic in the Arctic: SAR Challenges
With thanks to the International Maritime Rescue Federation
| | A recent article by the International Maritime Rescue Federation highlights the Search and Rescue challenges as maritime activity in the Arctic increases. It includes the following summary of Canada’s response: In Canada, the Coast Guard launched the Arctic Region’s innovative Exercising Program in 2019 to provide the cruise industry with guidance on regional risks, the functioning of the SAR system, and how a mass rescue operation would unfold in Arctic waters. During the summer months, when not engaged in icebreaking duties, Coast Guard icebreakers are also deployed to higher-risk areas to strengthen response coverage. These efforts will be further supported by Canada’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, alongside the recently expanded Coast Guard Auxiliary in the region, which brings the local knowledge and capabilities of Inuit responders directly into mass rescue operations. To read more, go to Operation location: As traffic in the Arctic grows, how can SAR keep up? | International Maritime Rescue Federation | | |
Canadian Coast Guard Summer Hiring
Partial source of the following text: Canadian Coast Guard
| | The Canadian Coast Guard is officially recruiting post-secondary students Apply to the Inshore Rescue Boat student program: Step 1. Who can apply - Canada.ca for the Summer 2027 Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) Program. Participants gain hands-on experience supporting marine search and rescue operations at the CCG’s 26 IRB stations across Canada. The application deadline is November 2, 2026. This is an incredible opportunity for well-qualified students to spend a summer on the water promoting boating safety and saving lives by responding to boaters in distress. Many IRB students return year after year and go on to rewarding careers in the CCG or elsewhere in the marine industry. | | |
Natalie Conway has been appointed incoming CEO of Boating Ontario, effective September 1, 2026. She will work alongside current CEO Rick Layzell as he transitions into retirement on December 31, 2026. The CSBC has very much appreciated the collaboration and support of Rick and Boating Ontario, and we look forward to working with Natalie. More information at Boating Ontario Welcomes Natalie Conway as Incoming CEO - Boating Industry Canada
Did you know that you can direct your United Way Campaign donation to any registered Canadian charity? Please consider donating to the Canadian Safe Boating Council; our registration number is 875659864RR0001.
The next International Boating and Water Safety Summit will be held from April 5 – 8, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency Dulles in Herndon, Virginia. For more information, go to www.ibwss.org.
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