Floating Accommodations
Location: National
Issue/Source: TRAN
Date: March 2024
Suggested Responses
- The Government of Canada is aware of concerns about some floating accommodations staying in one place too long.
- That is why Transport Canada launched a consultation on October 12, 2023, to seek views from Canadians on the possibility of regulating long-term anchoring of vessels, such as floating accommodations. A summary of the consultation results will be posted in the coming months.
- Transport Canada continues to work with provincial partners to coordinate efforts to address local issues.
If Pressed
- The Government of Canada is pleased to see the province of Ontario is taking action with new regulations of their own to address the issue.
Background Information
- Since 2021, TC has become increasingly engaged in responding to public inquiries and complaints from members of the public, municipalities, and cottage associations in the Trent Severn and Muskoka regions of Ontario regarding floating accommodations. These concerned groups have requested that TC intervene and prohibit these structures, given the impacts they are having on the environment, safety and the public interest.
- These floating accommodations are considered ‘vessels’ under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, as its definition of vessel includes any floating object that can be navigated, even if it lacks propulsion.
- There are currently no existing regulatory provisions that prohibit the long-term anchoring of these vessels. Transport Canada has conducted inspections on certain of these vessels brought to its attention. In several cases, follow-up with the vessel owners is underway to help bring these vessels into compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
- In British Columbia, there are floating accommodations that are not considered vessels because they are permanently moored to the dock or shore. These floating accommodations are dependent on shore services (electrical power, fresh water, waste management, etc.) and therefore cannot be used for navigation.
- Transport Canada has met with local authorities and Members of Parliament representing constituencies where these floating accommodations are located, to explain TC current authorities with respect to these vessels.