Apr 1, 2025

Everyone who chooses to come at least…and many Boating Ontario Members did come to their nearest Regional Meeting. This year nine sessions were held in areas spread around the province to make it as easy as possible to attend without a long drive or high cost. I attended the ninth and final session for this year in Orillia on March 27^th. Fifty-nine people had registered and most were present for a fast-paced and highly informative four-hour session.

In that comparatively brief period of time, Boating Ontario’s CEO Rick Layzell covered a wide range of topics, took questions, introduced several other presenters and (including the lunch break) concluded the meeting right on time. He opened with a general session talking about the current business environment, the coming wave of home mortgage renewals, new non-current boats in inventory, consumer confidence and of course, the tariffs we will be hit with in the second phase of counter tariffs.

 Layzell and the other presenters shared information and data about a wide range of issues that are vital to the well-being of our industry. Tourism data for example, now shows a drop of 23% for Canadians going to the USA.

That tourism data is national in nature and it’s one of many reasons why the recent creation of the Canadian Marine Retail Association, CMRA was so important in dealing with the Federal Government.

There was a lot of information about skills development, career fairs and how the industry has been working with the Ministry of Labour. The discussion included the award-winning national “Safety is Simple” boating campaign and the Marina Safety training resources for marina staff.

There was excellent information about the Clean Marine program and a host of other beneficial initiatives including representing the members for water lot leases, the Yellow Plate boat trailer licenses in Ontario, an update on the Transport Canada Vessel Operating Restrictions (VORR) and how these may impact boating.

Other special guests included MP Adam Chambers who is working hard to get us some relief from the Luxury Tax as we head into the next Federal election on April 28^th.

There were a number of very sensible business-development ideas shared and somehow the presenters managed to deliver some business-building ideas that members could act on right away. Layzell even got to put in a good word for the Golf Tournament in late August. This is a premiere event for raising funds for the Marine WORX program to support students training for a career in our business.

And, that’s just a topline of the more significant subjects covered at the Regional Meetings. I’m writing this because you should make a note now, to attend the spring 2026 Regional Meetings with your key staff members. The friendly and comfortable environment, the fast pace and the wide range of information should be a must-attend for anyone who hopes to make the most of their career in the marine industry.

Way to go, Boating Ontario!

Andy Adams – Editor