No. GC002/06
For release March 31, 2006

SERVICE CANADA LAUNCHES
PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSING

TORONTO — Canadians will find it easier to license their pleasure craft, and will benefit from improved boating safety when Service Canada starts delivering pleasure craft licensing on behalf of Transport Canada starting April 1, 2006.

The announcement was made today by Lynne Yelich, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Peter Van Loan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Canadians can obtain a pleasure craft licence at one of the 320 Service Canada Centres located across the country. It will take approximately 10 minutes to process an application and issue a licence.

“The Government of Canada is improving the way government programs and services are delivered to Canadians,” said Ms. Yelich. “In transferring pleasure craft licensing to Service Canada, our government has made it more convenient for Canadians to apply for a pleasure craft licence by offering the service in more communities.”

A pleasure craft licence is the number placed on the side of each pleasure craft, as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act. There is no cost to obtain a pleasure craft licence. The number is used to assist law enforcement and search and rescue organizations in identifying each individual pleasure craft.

“We’re happy to be working with Service Canada to modernize pleasure craft licensing and promote safety,” said Mr. Van Loan. “The Government of Canada wants to help boat owners get out on the water as quickly and as safely as possible. By increasing choice, service and safety, this government is working with boat owners — not only for the season, but also for the generations of boat-owners to come.”

Service Canada’s automated licensing system will provide search and rescue and law enforcement agencies with round-the-clock access to licence information so they can quickly and more effectively respond to marine emergencies.

“Any program that shortens the time required for a water rescue will save lives,” said Jeff Evans, Chair of Public Relations for the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, a volunteer organization that delivers boating safety courses to recreational boaters.

Under an agreement with Service Canada and Transport Canada, pleasure craft licences will be available at 36 Service New Brunswick Centres as well as Service Canada locations in New Brunswick.

About 2.2 million pleasure boats are licensed in Canada, with an average of 105,000 new and transferred licences granted annually.

Find the nearest Service Canada Centre by visiting servicecanada.gc.ca. Visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca for information on boating safety.

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