Decibel limits needed for 'excessively noisy' motorboats, coalition argues
The days of noisy motorboats interrupting an otherwise serene afternoon at the lake could be numbered.
Limiting "excessive" racket at Canada's many lakes has been a goal of the Decibel Coalition for years, and members are hopeful the government may be ready to take action.
Alan Drinkwater, the coalition's western representative, noted that many jurisdictions already impose decibel limits on motorboats, and argued it's time Canada followed suit.
"If they do put decibel limit-based regulations in place, they will be emulating the success that over 27 U.S. states have had for more than two decades in dealing with the problem," Drinkwater told CTV News on Sunday.
The country's current Small Vessel Regulations already require all power-driven boats to use a muffler, but there are no specific performance standards those mufflers must meet.
On a website gathering public feedback about the possibility of strengthening regulations, Transport Canada acknowledged that lack of standards has "led to concerns that vessel engine noise sometimes exceeds acceptable levels."
"Police have also noted that it's hard to enforce the current requirements as they lack the technical expertise needed to identify whether a muffler is properly equipped or not," the site reads.
New regulations would come with their own challenges. To enforce a decibel limit, officials pointed out police would have to buy decibel-measuring equipment and train officers how to use it.
Transport Canada proposed five ways to address motorboat noise, including performance standards that would apply to both boat manufacturers and operators – which is what Drinkwater's coalition would like to see implemented.
The group, whose 54 members include a number of municipalities and environmental organizations, suggested Canada follow an international standard of 75 decibels, adjusted to human hearing, for shoreline sound measurements.
The government's public feedback process closed last month, and its unclear when any potential changes could be implemented. CTV News has reached out to Transport Canada for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.