Heritage Canal fees frozen

Just before a review panel was to review fees for canals such as the Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway, the federal government has decided to freeze the canal fees for another 3 years and study the governance of all the heritage canals. The canals open for the season on Friday.

The proposed mooring fees will be implemented after all approval processes are complete, sometime in 2013. Current fees will remain in effect until that time. In the meantime, seasonal lockage and seasonal mooring passes for 2013 continue to remain available for purchase at the current fee. All seasonal passes will be honoured throughout the 2013 season at the original purchase price.
      -  Parks Canada fee proposals

Different Mooring Rates for Canals & National Parks

I've discovered that fees for the Georgian Bay National Park and the St. Lawrence National Park are much lower than the Rideau Canal (and all other heritage canals).  Since they are all operated by Parks Canada, why are mooring fees different? I was assured the proposed canal fees were to be standard across Canada and (wrongly) assumed the mooring fees would also be standardized. Especially since day mooring on the canals had previously been free. If you are just anchoring, the daily fee is $5.80 per person (with other fees for seniors etc.).

Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada

Mooring Fees per Foot 2013	St. Lawrence	Rideau Canal
Day (up to 12 hours, but not overnight)	$ 0.40	$ 0.50
Overnight (includes day mooring)	$ 0.90	$ 1.25
Seasonal	$ 9.80	$20.00

Current heritage canal mooring fees will remain in effect until the proposed Canal mooring fees are finally implemented in 2013.

Parks Canada's 3rd canal fees proposal

Proposed Canal Fees - 7 days left to comment

"Parks Canada will continue to address concerns and will endeavour to resolve user fee complaints that arose during the public consultation period. Canadians now have until 11:59 PM (EDT) March 13, 2013 to submit a complaint as per the User Fees Act."

A document they sent also said: "Only fully completed forms received by 11:59 PM (EDT) April 12th, 2013 to droits2013.2013fees@pc.gc.ca
will be accepted by Parks Canada as a formal application."


So if you are not happy with the high fees proposed for mooring and locking in Canada's heritage canals, you have a very short time left to contact the government. Email Parks Canada at: droits2013.2013fees@pc.gc.ca

Everyone should complain about the reduced canal locking service as well, since they will shrink the local economy as much as high fees or a shorter season. Government propaganda means little. Tourism growth requires making the visitor experience better, more convenient, or cheaper. 

Final Parks Canada Fee Proposals:
pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/tarifs-fees/consultation/ann-app1.aspx
Lockage Fee Proposal:
pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/tarifs-fees/consultation/ann-app3.aspx#canal
Mooring Fee Proposal:
pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/tarifs-fees/consultation/ann-app3.aspx#mooring

View the email sent by Parks Canada and the attached documents for complain resolution here: http://boating.ncf.ca/parkscanada.

Parks Canada's 3rd canal fees proposal

Parks Canada has updated its proposed mooring fees for the federal canals (including the Rideau Canal and St. Lawrence Islands) a second time, and added back the popular one-day lock pass.

Below: Latest changes are bold. Fee for 30-ft boat in brackets. % increase from 2012.

Proposed mooring fees to take effect in 2013:

1. Day mooring $0.50/ft ($15) was free
2. Overnight mooring  $1.25/ft* ($37.50) +39% (day mooring is included)
3. Seasonal mooring $20./ft ($600) +104%

Power hookup $9.95 based on 1.5% CPI increase ($47.45)  All Parks Canada fees include tax.

Proposed lockage fees to take effect in 2014:

1. Single lock $.60/ft           ($18)  +33%
2. Multiple/large lock $.90/ft ($27) +100%
3. One-day pass $2.40/ft  ($72) +50%
4. Six-day pass $7.20/ft  ($216)   +43%
5. Seasonal pass $15./ft  ($450)  +70%

In 2012, each lockstation cost $0.90/ft ($27), a 6-day pass $5.05/ft ($151.50), and transiting the entire canal one-way $4.65/ft ($139.50). 1-day pass $1.60/ft  ($48)  Seasonal lock passes were $8.80/ft ($264).  Mooring (overnight) was $0.90/ft ($27), with annual dock passes $9.80/ft ($294). Power hookup was $9.80.
 
Parks Canada Proposed Fees:
pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/tarifs-fees/consultation/ann-app3.aspx

 This article incorrectly assumes the day mooring fee is added to the overnight fee, but it's actually included in the overnight fee.
Ottawacitizen.com (Feb.4/13)

Rideau Mayors angry at Parks Canada

An article in the Ottawa Sun this week shows that even the mayors of all the towns along the Rideau Canal are angry with Parks Canada's proposed fees. They know the nascent Rideau Canal tourist industry will be ruined by it. Mayors angered over skyrocketing canal fees - Ottawa Sun, Jan.27, 2013

I am hoping the Canadian Government will realize heritage canals don't belong under the Environment Minister. They can't possibly maintain a World Heritage Site with "user pay". The canals cannot bear the entire burden of budget cuts to Parks Canada. I propose they increasing national park tent camping to $100 - would people vote for the government that did that?  Related posts:

• New Fees proposed for Federal Canals
• 2,126% increase for Rideau Canal tour boat