September 23, 2025 The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced the Fall 2025 Level Up Skilled Trades Fairs and this is your chance to connect with young Career-Seekers. The first few dates have passed but there are many more opportunities to get involved! Last year, Boating Ontario put recreational boating in front of over 40,000 eager young minds. This is your chance…
September 23, 2025 Author: Jeff Doran, President, CCEOC Inc. Introduction In the dynamic world of the boating sector—spanning yacht building, marine services, marinas, charters, and watersports—people are the true engine of success. From skilled marine technicians to hospitality teams and customer service reps, the quality of the employee experience has a direct impact on safety,…
September 9, 2025 By Mathew Channer Credit: B.C. Ferries A passenger fell overboard from a B.C. Ferries vessel last Wednesday September 3, and another passenger went overboard the following day on Thursday September 4. The Wednesday incident occurred on the Spirit of Vancouver Island during the 1pm sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, approximately 2km…
September 30, 2025 Regular readers of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest know that we are concerned about the loss of options for boaters to dispose of their expired Distress Flares. Regulations in Canada require owners of many boats to carry distress flares. Across Canada there are marine chandleries and other retail outlets who accept expired…
September 9, 2025 By Mathew Channer Photos by Henry Wang In 2013, Henry Wang, co-founder of B.C. organization Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans was starting to get bored of recreational scuba diving, until he found something worth diving for. Invited to dive at Buntzen Lake, B.C. by his friend Jonathan Martin, the pair were…
Sept 2, 2025 By Mathew Channer Photo credit: Jack Madeley Canadian Kyle Wills (age 33) is set to take on the World’s Toughest Row late next year, solo rowing approximately 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. The yearly challenge launches from La Gomera, Spain in early December and finishes in Antigua, with teams and solo…
Aug 20, 2025 12.3 million service jobs. 1.7 million units sold. 20 parts found every second. Here’s how Lightspeed helps dealers get it done. Choosing a Dealer Management System (DMS) isn’t just a tech decision. It’s a full-on business decision. Your entire operation runs through this thing, and if it’s clunky, outdated, or missing key…
Custom Highfield Patrol RHIB observing surfers – Credit: Highfield Aug 19, 2025 By Mathew Channer There are many different reasons to go boating, but those seeking adventure are now leaning more toward Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs). Highfield Boats aren’t just a key player in North America’s RHIB market, they’re one of its driving forces,…
Aug 5, 2025 Acquisition Strengthens OP Media Group’s Leadership in Canadian Recreational Boating Media Vancouver British Columbia, August 5, 2025 – OP Media Group Limited, a leading force in Canadian niche publishing for over 30 years, and publisher of Pacific Yachting, is pleased to announce the acquisition of three of Canada’s most respected marine brands…
Aug 5, 2025 Held each October in historic downtown Annapolis, the Annapolis Sailboat Show is North America’s premier in-water sailing event—and a valuable opportunity for marine businesses looking to grow their reach, especially in the U.S. market. With more than 50,000 attendees, 500+ exhibitors, and over 175 boats on display, the show brings together a…
Aug 5, 2025 By Mathew Channer Image: Shutterstock A 20-foot SmokerCraft and trailer were stolen from its owner’s driveway in Meaford, Ontario last week, the latest in a spree of boat thefts in the area. In June, a 16-foot vessel was stolen from a recreational sporting business in Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, and a Tahoe craft…
July 29, 2025 Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has announced the latest expansion of its award-winning Verado® outboard lineup with the introduction of the all-new V10 425hp Verado outboard and a performance-enhanced version of the V10 350hp Verado outboard. Both models set new benchmarks for performance in the high-horsepower outboard segment, delivering…
July 29, 2025 By Mathew Channer Canadian Company ENVGO, which is developing a cutting-edge electric hydrofoil boat, received strong early support from backers, with the company announcing it has raised $2 million USD in its first seed round. Early support includes Toronto-based Venture Capital firm Two Small Fish Ventures, follow-on investment from Garage Capital, and…
Taylor Doll lives and breathes the boating lifestyle. Credit: Dockside Marine Centre July 15, 2025 By Mathew Channer Taylor Doll’s smile is unmissable when he greets you, and it only gets wider when we head out onto Okanagan Lake, B.C. for a test run of the new 2025 Chapparal Surf 26. Doll loves boating and, as General Manager of Dockside…
July 15, 2025 Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site – Parks Canada is thrilled to invite paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts to one of the most unique paddling events in the country — Lock & Paddle 2025! Join us on Saturday, July 19, 2025, anytime from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the iconic Peterborough Lift Lock on the…
By Jill Snider July 15, 2025 Monday, July 7, I attended a boating industry event hosted by Boating Ontario. The “Meet the Board Mixer” was the first of its kind in many years. Revived by the association as a way for local members to connect in a relaxed environment, I walked away feeling inspired by…
July 8, 2025 If there’s anything to be taken away from the geopolitical tumult of the past six months, it’s that the permeability across the US/Canadian border cannot be taken for granted. For 55 years, the Annapolis Boat Shows (held in Maryland every October) have drawn a sizable contingent of Canadian boaters, dealers, and manufacturers….
July 8, 2025 By John Gullick I have been asked if CanBoat will again be offering local events across the country to talk to boaters about their Safety Equipment and giving them an opportunity to legally dispose of outdated marine flares. CanBoat is excited to announce that their partnership with CIL Orion will continue but…
Queen of Cowichan is one of several B.C. Ferries vessels due for replacement. Credit: B.C. Ferries. July 8, 2025 By Mathew Channer B.C. Ferries has selected China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) to build four New Major Vessels (NMVs) as part of its fleet expansion plan. CMI Weihai is an experienced builder for large international…
July 1, 2025 As part of the Canada Strong Pass initiative, the Government of Canada is offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada. This also includes free lockage at the seven canals administered by Parks Canada on historic waterways (mooring fees still apply). Discovery Passes that…