Responding to Canadian Hydrographic Service cancelling Print on Demand dealers
Jan 25, 2022
In the January 18 Editor’s Message, I shared the news that one of our Boating Industry Canada News Week readers, a Print on Demand dealer in Ottawa, had been notified that Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) planned to cancel the Print on Demand agreements with their nautical chart dealers across Canada. It appeared that the cancellation would take effect at the end of March.
Many people responded and boater safety was cited most often as the greatest concern. In particular, John Gullick of the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons and Pat Nelder at Boating Atlantic both reached out to their government contacts.
We have heard that there was an analysis of some kind done by CHS but so far, we have not seen that report. It certainly seems surprising that the Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety would not have raised objections to this decision but we have not seen the data that prompted the announcement.
For now, the industry clearly wants the speed and convenience of having the Print On Demand dealers and we are looking to CHS and the Office of Boating Safety for an explanation of the factors that lead up to this announcement.
But so far, nothing has changed so if you have an opinion or a position on this change to nautical chart distribution, we suggest that first, you contact your marine trade association for the latest news and that you also write to Cedric Kinnard, Manager, Hydrographic Services – Canadian Hydrographic Service cedric.kinnard@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
We need to speak out to defend boating safety.
Andy Adams – editor
