Whereas the larger, higher energy and displacement waves created by wake surfing have been recognized to be a threat to lake health and the health of the surrounding ecosystem i.e. wetlands, riparian areas, sensitive shoreline habitat on lakes and water bodies meeting certain objective criteria; And whereas Transport Canada, a federal institution, holds the authority through the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations VORR to regulate and restrict boating activities in Canadian waters, and has recognized that VORR processes need to be modernized to provide a means to address specific issues caused by wake surfing activities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition Transport Canada to develop objective, science-based, lake and water body characteristics and criteria where the activity of wake surfing would threaten the lake health and the health of the surrounding ecosystem; And be it further resolved that UBCM to advocate to Transport Canada that Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation restricting wake surfing be applied to those lakes and water bodies meeting the specific characteristics and criteria, by the federal government, using a standardized approach.
