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OPP lay nearly 40 charges during Canada Day enforcement initiative

July 20, 2026   ·   0 Comments

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid 39 charges and issued 32 warnings during a Canada Day marine enforcement initiative aimed at improving safety on Central Region waterways, according to a July 7 media release.

From July 1 to July 5, members of the OPP Snowmobile, All-Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement (SAVE) Unit conducted marine patrols on Fawn Lake, Gloucester Pool, Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, Redstone Lake, Haliburton Lake and Georgian Bay, working alongside local OPP detachments.

The most common offences included 14 counts of open alcohol on a vessel, 11 counts of failing to have a personal flotation device or lifejacket, and four counts of operating a vessel with open alcohol.

Other charges included failing to transfer vessel registration to a new owner, towing a person without a spotter, permitting someone under 16 to operate a personal watercraft, failing to carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, safety equipment violations and failing to carry a fire extinguisher.

During the five-day enforcement initiative, officers stopped a vessel that was towing family members, including youth, without a designated spotter on board, as required by law.

Police said further investigation found the operator had been consuming alcohol while operating the vessel and had open alcohol accessible on board. An Approved Screening Device test resulted in an “Alert” reading, leading to a seven-day driver’s licence suspension and several charges under the Canada Shipping Act and Liquor Licence and Control Act.

“Alcohol and boating do not mix,” the OPP said, noting that operating a vessel while impaired can result in criminal charges, licence suspensions and other penalties, similar to impaired driving on Ontario roads.

Police reminded boaters that impaired operation of a boat, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle can result in consequences for their driver’s licence.

The OPP also encouraged boaters to wear lifejackets, operate vessels sober, carry required safety equipment and ensure licences and vessel registration documents are up to date.

“A lifejacket only works if you’re wearing it,” police said.

Enforcement efforts will continue throughout the summer, with the OPP encouraging anyone who observes suspicious, impaired, aggressive or unsafe operation on roads or waterways to contact police.

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