More than 12 million Canadian adults participate in recreational boating every year, but preventable accidents continue to result in injuries and fatalities on the water. To help improve safety, Transport Canada is supporting education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices and behaviours on the water.
As part of the Safe Boating Awareness Week, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced a call for proposals under the Boating Safety Contribution Program. The application period is open until 21st September 2026. Click here for more information.
The program supports organisations that:
– promote safe boating practices, behaviour, and knowledge;
– improve access to national boating safety data;
– help reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from boating accidents
Through the Boating Safety Contribution Program, Transport Canada will support organisations in delivering education, awareness and outreach initiatives that promote safe boating practices and behaviours, helping reduce risks on the water and prevent injuries and drownings across Canada.
Quick Facts
The Boating Safety Contribution Program provides funding to eligible organisations to deliver education, outreach, and awareness initiatives that improve recreational boating safety practices, behaviours, and knowledge across Canada.
Eligible applicants include Indigenous groups and communities, not-for-profit organisations, public safety organisations, educational institutions, healthcare institutions, enforcement services, and provincial, territorial or municipal governments.
The program funds up to 75 per cent of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $80,000 per project per fiscal year, for up to three years.
Organisations have until September 21, 2026, to apply for projects beginning in fiscal year 2027-28.
North American Safe Boating Awareness Week (May 18-24) marks the start of boating season and highlights the importance of safe boating practices, including wearing a lifejacket, being prepared, making a sail plan, and boating sober.
During the 10-year period, from 2012-2021, there were 896 recreational boating-related fatalities in Canada, according to the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada. In 80 per cent of these cases, a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD) was not worn.