Message from the Chair
It’s Spring – finally! With the boat show season in the recent past, we are all looking forward to the launch of the 2026 recreational boating season, especially here in central Canada where boats are put to bed after Thanksgiving and not taken out of hibernation until their launch sometime in April or May. It is an odd time of the year: one day the ice, albeit completely compromised, is still on the lake and the next day it has melted or been moved off by the wind. And generally speaking, that is also the first day we see boaters on the water enjoying the early fishing season. It is a time of year when our collective messaging about the dangers of cold water and the importance of PFD use is particularly consequential. May 16 – 22 is Safe Boating Awareness Week. It is not too late for your organization to plan a SBAW event. Resources can be obtained via our website Safe Boating Awareness Week – Canadian Safe Boating Council and if you require any hard copy material, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us—but the sooner the better!
As most of you know, the Canadian Safe Boating Council is a not-for-profit organization with a Board of Directors that comprises representatives from member organizations and individual members who have often come from professional marine backgrounds. The tremendous effort put forth by these Directors and our other volunteers is what brings our ongoing mission and projects to fruition.
I would like to take a moment to recognize two of our directors who have recently retired from two of our member organizations, but have decided to stay on the Board in a personal capacity. Words cannot express the value that they bring to our organization and the expertise that they bring to the table.
The first is our very own Vice-Chair Brenda Reeve. Brenda completed a long career as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy and retired a year ago. During her career, she was instrumental in the success of their youth cadet program. Brenda brings with her a wealth of experience in the management, development and delivery of training initiatives. Brenda has been on our Board for many years and most of you will know her as the past Chair of the CASBAs Committee.
The second is Dave Moffatt. For many years, Dave has represented the Ontario Provincial Police on our Board as their Marine Coordinator. In 2024, Dave received a CASBA for Marine Professional of the Year and was recently awarded Boating Ontario’s W.J. Robertson award for his steadfast dedication and leadership. Dave recently retired from the OPP after a thirty-year career. Dave has taken over from Brenda as the Chair of CASBAs.
It is great to have both of you on the Board – we will try not to work you too hard!
It has been customary for us to hold our Annual General Meeting at a hotel that is local to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. This year, we are going to try something a little different. We are going to hold the AGM virtually. This should enable our members from coast to coast to coast to join in without having to spend the time and expense of cross-country travel. The meeting will be held on May 20 during Safe Boating Awareness Week. Joining instructions will be forwarded to all members.
We hope to connect with all of you at our AGM and also at our annual Symposium which is being hosted in Quebec City in September. In the meantime, please have a safe and enjoyable start to the spring boating season. As always, thanks again for your continued support!
AGM Notice to all CSBC Members
In accordance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Section 159.4), the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) online on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 1:00 P.M EDT. For those members who have previously attended our AGMs in Toronto in person, please note this change.
The meeting is open to all interested persons, but voting will be restricted to current CSBC members.
The meeting will cover a number of subjects, including a report on the CSBC’s current programs as well as the election of the Board of Directors and Officers for 2026/2027. Please come and spend an hour or so with us to hear about the progress that we have made in promoting boating safety this past year. On behalf of the Chair, Peter Heard, we look forward to having you join us.
Please advise the CSBC Secretary of your intent to participate no later than Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at ron.kroeker@csbc.ca. Details outlining how you can participate will be sent to you once the Secretary receives your response.
Dated in Ottawa, Ontario, this 12th day of April. 2026
R. Kroeker, CSBC Secretary.
CSBC Membership Reminder
If you have not already done so, please renew your membership now. In January we sent members a note advising that it was time to renew their CSBC membership, and an invoice. Our thanks to the vast majority who were quick to act. If you have not renewed your membership, please do so soon. To renew, please refer to your invoice, or go to https://csbc.ca/en/about-us/membership. We greatly appreciate your support – together, we’re making a difference! If you need assistance, please contact John McMullen at john.mcmullen@csbc.ca
We always welcome both organizational and individual new members! As the boater population continues to grow, the CSBC’s motto – Helping you stay safe on the water – is increasingly important. To become a member, connect with us as outlined above.
NEW In-Person Cold Water Workshop on May 14 in Toronto
Join the Canadian Safe Boating Council for an engaging and informative Cold Water Workshop on May 14, 2026, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, at the Toronto Harbour Nautical Centre, 275 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON.
Workshop Topics Include: Understanding the Myths Around Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia, How Our Bodies React to Heat and Cold Stimuli, What Happens to Our Bodies When Immersed in Cold Water, Immersion vs. Submersion in Cold Water, Basic First Response…Extraction techniques, packaging and transporting, and more Cold Water Awareness Topics. Cost $185.00. For more information or to register, visit Cold Water Workshops – Canadian Safe Boating Council.
Cold Water Safety and Operational Readiness
With thanks to Sgt. David Charbonneau, RCMP National Marine Program/programme maritime national GRC
RCMP officers operate on and around Canada’s waterways every day, often in environments where cold water presents a significant and immediate risk. Understanding how the body reacts to cold water, and how to respond effectively in an emergency, is essential knowledge for anyone working in this environment. On February 24/26, over 50 of our officers from across the country participated in the CSBC’s virtual cold-water workshop, gaining practical insight into cold water exposure, survival priorities, and risk mitigation. This training is invaluable in reinforcing operational readiness.
For marine officers and other personnel who regularly work near or on the water, this knowledge is not only important for protecting the public, but also for safeguarding their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues. Canada’s diverse climate means that cold water exposure can occur year-round, even during warmer months.
Continuing to build awareness and understanding of cold-water safety helps ensure that RCMP members across the country remain prepared to carry out their duties safely while serving Canadians on our waterways and coastal regions.
Editor’s note: to learn more about the CSBC’s cold water workshops, go to Cold Water Workshops – Canadian Safe Boating Council.
CSBC Symposium 2026
The 2026 Symposium will take place in Quebec City from September 22–24, 2026 at the Château Laurier Québec.
This year’s theme, Education Builds Safer Waters, will explore how our community educates and promotes safe boating practices across Canada.
Highlights of the symposium will include:
A law enforcement panel featuring representatives from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sûreté du Québec, and Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety (Québec Region), discussing enforcement, trends, and collaboration in boating safety.
A panel discussion and workshop on using social media as an educational tool to reach and engage today’s boating community.
A mini CSBC new cold water safety workshop, offering practical knowledge and skills for preventing and responding to cold water incidents.
Hosted by the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the 2026 Symposium brings together leaders, educators, first responders, industry experts, and community advocates to explore how education can transform boating safety in Canada.
Through presentations, panels, and hands-on learning, participants will examine emerging trends, innovative programs, and collaborative strategies that strengthen a nationwide culture of safe boating. By sharing knowledge and experience, we can build the skills, awareness, and confidence needed to make Canada’s waterways safer for everyone.
Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) 2025–2035 Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention: Turning the tide on a leading killer aims to reduce drowning deaths by 35% by 2035 through six pillars and eight priority interventions. It emphasizes a multisectoral, evidence-informed approach focusing on strengthening policies, improving data, and implementing practical measures like barriers, training, and surveillance.
Key Strategic Pillars & Interventions
Targeted Interventions: Installing barriers for water access, providing safe places for children, teaching swimming/safe rescue, and enforcing boating regulations.
Multisectoral Approach: Coordinating efforts across health, education, transport, and disaster management sectors.
Data & Research: Improving surveillance to understand the scope of drowning and targeting high-burden populations.
Policy & Legislation: Establishing national water safety policies and enacting laws for safety regulations.
Global Collaboration: The Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention (GADP) supports countries in developing tailored action plans.
Actionable Measures
Public Awareness: Promoting education, water safety, and hosting events for World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25).
Resource Development: Training in CPR and rescue skills.
Behavior Change: Promoting the use of life jackets and avoiding alcohol around water.
The strategy emphasizes a “global-to-local” approach, tailoring interventions to specific contexts and enhancing rescue capabilities.
In Brief
Kevin Brosseau Kevin Brosseau | Prime Minister of Canada has been appointed Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence and, concurrently, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). He will also continue serving as Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl.