May 19, 2006 OTTAWA – The 2006 boating season was kicked off today with the national launch of Safe Boating Awareness Week.
Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to Lawrence Cannon, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with and Randy Whaley of the Canadian Safe Boating Council joined forces today at the Britannia Yacht Club in Ottawa to encourage Canadians to think about marine safety when heading out on the water this summer.
“With the start of another boating season, I would like to underline the importance of staying safe by wearing a lifejacket, taking a boating safety course, and not mixing alcohol with boating,” said Mr. Jean.
Safe Boating Awareness Week is an annual event organized by the Canadian Safe Boating Council to promote a wide range of safe boating practices to an estimated seven million recreational boaters across the country. This year, Safe Boating Awareness Week runs from May 20 to 26, and will include a number of volunteer-driven activities in local communities across the country.
The Canadian Safe Boating Council is a non-profit organization with members and partners from all areas of the marine community including manufacturers, boating education organizations, water safety and marine law enforcement sectors.
“Transport Canada would like to take this opportunity to recognize the important work of volunteers who educate the public about safe boating and remind boaters that they can play an active role to ensure everybody’s safety,” said Minister Cannon.
“Our goal is to work with Transport Canada to ensure that the millions of Canadians who head out on the water in canoes and kayaks, sailboards and sailboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, power boats and cruisers are equipped with the knowledge for a safe day on the water, ” said Mr. Whaley.
For more information on Safe Boating Awareness Week, please visit the Canadian Safe Boating Council’s website at www.csbc.ca.
