Happy May Long Weekend!

Lake Windermere has risen three feet in the past 10 days and the lake level is similar to that of early August last year. All marinas and boat launches are functional at this water level. Get your boat in and have fun if the weather cooperates.

?akisqnuk First Nation (AFN) Files Application for Boating Restriction

The following quotes are from AFN. "Transport Canada has approved AFN to proceed with applications for Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) on Columbia Lake and Lake Windermere. These regulations would aim to restrict "wake mode" operation on both lakes to protect shallow ecosystems from deep wave action, which stirs up sediment and harms aquatic life."

“AFN will act as the local authority in this process. We've completed the Preliminary Assessments and, as part of the process, are preparing to engage the broader public for spring 2026."

This is a major development with potentially severe devastating consequences. All lake users, property owners, and business owners need to follow this closely and get involved to ensure your voice is heard. VORR is a process through Transport Canada to impose boating restrictions on specific waterways. The process requires public consultation. CVBA strongly opposes these boating restrictions and has contacted Transport Canada but has not yet received a reply. If you have information about the inner workings and process at Transport Canada and can help, please contact CVBA. Click the button below for general information on the VORR process.

The goal of restricting “wake mode” is vague and leads to many questions about what this might mean in real life boating practices. All boats make a wake and there are a wide range of wake enhancing technology and techniques. For example, environmental groups have stated in the past that wake surfing should be banned in shallow areas, but later defined all of Lake Windermere as shallow. Similarly, in past proposals to ban wake boats, “wake boat” was never actually defined.

TRANSPORT CANADA

If you don’t think this can happen you are mistaken. If the general public sits back and does nothing in response to anti-boating pressures, boating will no longer be permitted on our lakes. CVBA is certain of this. Please discuss this with your neighbours and communities, and at your community meetings. Think about how boating restrictions will impact your lifestyle, your property values, and your employment. The best way to stay up to date is join CVBA and read our newsletters.

CVBA assumes that AFN is proceeding with this application with the best intentions for the Lakes and their opinions should be heard and considered. However, every stakeholder, resident, property owner, and lake user should also have the opportunity to review and comment on these proposed changes. CVBA will work hard to ensure transparency and fight for proper public consultation. We are concerned that this will be difficult. While we wait for more information to come on this subject, CVBA encourages everyone to analyze the possibilities. Will removing wake boats (which are more than 50% of all boats on Lake Windermere) improve the ecological health of the lake? Detailed lake water testing demonstrates that Lake Windermere is already very healthy. Which quality measurements are we hoping will improve? What are the consequences of dramatically scaled back boating? What will be gained and what will be lost? How severe will the economic consequences be? Where will tax dollars be raised if property values and employment declines, or what local services will be cut? There have been significant false statements about the impacts of boats. Lets make sure decisions are based on fact.

Please consider this and discuss these serious issues and questions, and exercise your rights to stand up and voice your views on this important matter.

This new association's website is now live and can be accessed at www.cwvpos.com. They are actively seeking members and donors. Please send this email to those you feel will be impacted by FN control of the Columbia and Windermere Lake.

The Society is actively engaging with both Federal and Provincial governments to address the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation’s proposed initiatives and to defend the rights of property owners. Our efforts include formal submissions and direct outreach to the stakeholders (businesses, communities, and property owners) who would be most impacted by potential property development moratoriums.