Power in Numbers

People ask me why I belong to the Ontario Camps Association and I say because not only are they a great resource, as a whole we do have pull with the government. Thanks to Howie Grossinger and Dave Graham for helping us to stop Transport Canada from making us register our fleets of canoes.

 

Please see the letter below.

 

Dear OCA Members,

  

On Thursday, March 17, in Calgary, OCA Board Member and CCA/ACC Ontario representative Dave Graham and I attended a private meeting with The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. 

  

We were then joined by Alberta Camping Association President Laureen Wray and CCA/ACC Alberta representative Kathy Koehler at a press conference to announce the immediate suspension of registration requirements for canoes & kayaks. 

  

This announcement came as a result of the efforts of a great many of our members who wrote letters of concern to their Members of Parliament. These letters resulted in Transport Canada contacting the OCA which allowed us the opportunity to voice our concerns not only on behalf of camping in Ontario but across the country.  

  

At yesterday's press conference the Minister announced the following: "Owners of human-powered vessels, such as canoes, kayaks and small sailing vessels, as well as small vessels with motors less than 7.5 kilowatts (10 horsepower) will not have to register their craft with Transport Canada".  The Minister went on to say that the voice of camping was important and influential in this policy change because he felt that "Camping Associations in Canada set the standard for boating safety in Canada". To view the media release click here.  

  

To view the statements made by Transport Canada Minister Chuck Strahl and on our behalf, Laureen Wray, President, Alberta Camping Association click here.   

  

I would once again like to thank all of you for your assistance in gaining the resolution we were all seeking.This is a great example of the positive influence the OCA can have when we work together. 

  

On behalf of Heather, myself and the Board of Directors,

  

Thank you

  

  

Here is the statement issued at the press conference.

Thank you to Minister Strahl and his office for inviting us here today.

Canadian camping impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of children each summer and is as Canadian as the canoe itself.

The Canadian Camping Association/Association des Camps du Canada is a federation of 9 provincial camp associations representing over 700 children's summer camps across our country, including over 100 in Alberta alone. Summer camps in Canada deliver services to children of all abilities, ethnic origin and financial capability. They include day and overnight experiences, municipal and religiously affiliated programs as well as agency and privately-owned camps.

Accredited camps in each province dedicate themselves to high standards of operation in the areas of risk management, health and safety, and program delivery. These standards have been developed by provincial camps associations in conjunction with federal, provincial and municipal governments and have made the safety record of Canadian camps the envy of the world.

For generations, Canadians have learned to canoe and kayak at summer camp.  The Canada Shipping Act, 2001 had the potential to seriously impact the ability of our members to provide the high quality programs that they are known worldwide for by unnecessarily over regulating camp operators and burdening them with the red tape associated with an extensive registration process for their canoe and kayak fleets.

We are grateful to the Minister and Transport Canada for listening and responding to the concerns of the camp industry. This announcement today will allow accredited summer camps in Canada to continue to concentrate on the issues that matter most to Canadian parents who send their children to summer camp; skill development, the enhancement of self-esteem, community building and appreciation of the outdoors.