The Canadian Senate and the Canadian House of Commons recently passed a law that states that American boaters do not have to register with Canada Custom officials as long as they do not anchor their boat or step foot on Canadian soil. This will make boating and fisher easier and less-stressful for Canadians and Americans alike being that the law applies the same way to Canadian boaters entering American waters.
Before this new law, Americans who travelled into Canadian waters without registering were fined or could even have their boats taken away. In 2011, 22-year-old Roy Anderson, went fishing with a friend in the Gananoque Narrows in Canada without reporting to a Canadian port of entry. Both friends had Canadian fishing licenses and their boat met all safety requirements, however, Anderson's boat was seized by two Canadian Border Services. They were then threatened to immediately pay a $1,000 fine or be handcuffed and have their boat towed in addition to $25,000 in fines.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past in which most boaters were just passing through Canadian waters and never once stepped foot on Canadian land.
Currently, all Americans entering Canadian waters must call Canadian customs in addition to presenting passports, birth certificates, driver's licenses, etc.
Anyone charged with DWI, drug or firearms charges on their criminal record is not allowed to enter Canadian waters.
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