Drinking and Boating Laws in Canada

Boating while impaired is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Operators with more than eighty (80) milligrams of alcohol per One Hundred (100) millilitres of blood are liable to the following fines:

• 1^st offence: at least One Thousand ($1,000) fine
• 2^nd offence: at least Thirty (30) days of imprisonment
• 3^rd offence: at least One Hundred Twenty (120) days of imprisonment

The maximum sentence may vary depending on provincial statutes.

Consumption of Alcohol

In most provinces, alcohol may be consumed on board the pleasure craft only if it meets all of the following conditions:

• The vessel has permanent sleeping facilities
• The vessel has permanent cooking facilities
• The vessel has a permanent toilet
• The vessel is anchored or secured alongside a dock

Check with the appropriate provincial authorities (OPP for Ontario, SQ for Quebec, RCMP for all other provinces and territories) for carriage restrictions.