May 20, 2016

Boating Ontario is currently accepting proposals for a Communications Consultant to implement the creative design and communication components of a Clean Boater Pilot Project within the Lake Simcoe Watershed.

Boating Ontario is the largest recreational boating trade association in Canada. Province wide our 600 members represent Marina Operators, Boat dealers and suppliers to Ontario’s diverse recreational boating industry.

The Boating Ontario Clean Marine Program is the World’s leading environmental ‘Best Management Practices’ program for marinas, boat dealers, yacht clubs and marine businesses. Since the program inception in 2001, almost 300 business leaders have participated, easily making this the most successful and widely adopted program in any jurisdiction worldwide. Marinas voluntarily join the program, purchase a handbook containing all information required to become best environmental managers and then participate in an independent third party, 220-point audit. Scores form the audit are converted into an Eco-Rating system from one to five Green Leaf Anchors. Re-audits are mandatory every four years with self-audits conducted annually. The businesses that participate in the Clean Marine Program are voluntarily and at significant financial outlay, protecting the only boating resource we cannot replace: Clean Water!

1.0 Project Background

Through the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP), Ontario is committed to improving the health of the Lake Simcoe Watershed and improving conditions for environmentally sustainable recreation activities. The Ministry with support of interested recreational organizations, such as Boating Ontario, will promote and monitor environmental certification of recreational businesses.

The economic impact of recreational boating in Canada is $4.4 billion. In Ontario, the economic impact is $3.6 million with a ripple effect to related industries strongly influenced by recreational boating such as fishing, outfitters and tourism. There are approximately 47 marinas / dealers in the Lake Simcoe Watershed with 5737 boat slips. This number does not include transient visitors.

Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and seven Great Lakes States have programs encouraging marina operators to adopt best practices for protecting the environment. The Boating Ontario’s Clean Marine Program is the most successful of these as it is now in its 20th year with more than 280 marinas certified in Ontario. The Boating Ontario program is a voluntary program of environmental best practices. Marinas committed to helping protect our waterways voluntarily enroll in the Clean Marine Program and ensure their facilities follow environmental best practices.

All participants in the Boating Ontario Clean Marine Program complete the program’s 200 point check-list and the mandatory audit every four years. The Clean Marine Program has been instrumental in recycling shrink wrap, oil, filters and waste material. It has assisted with the replacement of old technology engines, upgrading of high efficiency lighting, use of environmentally responsible products and hydroelectric usage in marinas.

Within the Lake Simcoe Watershed, 73% of the marinas are Clean Marine facilities. The majority of the Clean Marine facilities have a strong desire to improve their own environmental rating. This

Project will allow many to do so and it may entice marinas that are not yet certified to join the Clean Marine Program and get involved.

View all details here:  www.boatingontario.ca/Portals/industry/RFPCommunicationsConsultant.pdf