Calling All Ontario Members

[Scorpion210]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Parks Canada Raising Lockage Fees
Parks Canada has announced a change in fee structure following a fee freeze that started in 2008. I was able to get more info from the Ottawa Citizen's newspaper site than from Parks Canada, though Parks Canada's announcement says they're looking for public input. Ya, not likely. Quote from the Citizen:

But the proposed changes for canals go beyond what most people would consider a reasonable increase to keep pace with inflation. Not only have the prices for lockage and mooring gone up, but the pricing structure has changed too. Once you do the math, some of the increases are on the order of several hundred per cent.

For example, a 25-foot boat can now go from one end of the Rideau Canal to the other for $116.25 in lockage fees. Under the proposed system, it would cost the same boat $450 to make the same trip.

Because the system eliminates day and seasonal passes and charges per lock instead, that could also have the effect of reducing trips for boat-owners who might make a jaunt from their home or cottage to a nearby town for lunch or shopping. Commercial boats will have to pay double. The effect is easy to predict: Fewer people booking tours or renting boats, and fewer boat-owners making trips.

Ottawa Citizen's editorial: Editorial: Sinking canal usage
Parks Canada's announcement: Parks Canada - News Releases and Backgrounders
Have a nice day. - Grandad

Wow...This will really affect tourism. I just compared it for a run from Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay and back. I think the cost was almost double the "There and Back" pass I bought last season. You might see a big reduction in the number of Loopers coming through. Then they will have to raise prices more because the locks will be under utilized

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Wow...This will really affect tourism. I just compared it for a run from Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay and back. I think the cost was almost double the "There and Back" pass I bought last season. You might see a big reduction in the number of Loopers coming through. Then they will have to raise prices more because the locks will be under utilized

Ya, somewhere in the iBoats site, there is a post about travel in the New York canal system that has free passage and lots of boater amenities, including free overnight docking, complete with access to showers. But you know those left wing, bleeding heart, socialist pinkos south of the border ... oh wait, that's supposed to be north of the boarder! Perhaps we can depose King Harper. - Grandad

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Did a quick comparison to go from Trenton to Georgian Bay on a 35' boat

Todays Price (Season Pass) = $8.80 x 35' = $308.00
Proposed Fee Structure = 94 tickets x (35'x $0.30) = $987 or with the 25% bulk discount $740.25

This is a direct hit to the annual Loopers that go through the Trent-Severn

It gets worse if you are somebody in lake Ontario (Maybe from Belleville) that wants to make the trip to Georgian Bay and Back...since there are no passes. Instead of $308, you will pay $1974.00 or $1480.50 with the bulk buy discount

Don't forget to add the HST

This is terrible news for the small towns along the system

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Did a quick comparison to go from Trenton to Georgian Bay on a 35' boat

Todays Price (Season Pass) = $8.80 x 35' = $308.00
Proposed Fee Structure = 94 tickets x (35'x $0.30) = $987 or with the 25% bulk discount $740.25

Hey Scorp, can you post a link for the new proposed fee structure? A lot of us may want to calculate just how deep our pockets have to be this year. - Grandad

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Just so you know, the link you posted is not a dropbox file. It is a .pdf file using the iboats forum software. Seems you have split the Excel file up into 4 pages and really lowered the file size. But it looks great.
It's obviously now a vector file and not a raster file as seen in the picture below when enlarged to 1200%. Still perfectly clear.
As long as you can update it easily, you have a long way to go using the forum software, as it's only a 22 kb file out of the 475 kb's you are allowed.

Thanks Don, I really don't understand all this software stuff. What's my vector, Victor? I don't know how I managed to do that, but as long as I can duplicate it, I'm happy. - Grandad

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Here is the Proposed Fee Structure
Parks Canada - Fees - Appendix 3

You can save 10% to buy in advance online and 25% if you buy more than 80 tickets (for the same boat) in advance

Here is the link to tell you how many tickets each lock will cost....the fewest amount is 2 tickets...Big Chute and Peterborough would be 4 tickets
Parks Canada - Fees - Service Levels of Locks along Parks Canada Waterways

They have a link to a few of the FAQ
Parks Canada - Fees - FAQ

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

This appears to be a new note on the website

Following the launch of consultations on fee adjustments, Parks Canada is pleased to have already received a significant number of comments related to its new proposed model for fees associated with canals. Parks Canada will determine by Friday which adjustments or new products need to be added to the consultation package on canals.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Thanks for the links. So, by my calculation, it's gonna cost me $50 to go through Big Chute and return for my 21' boat. We usually travel this 3 or 4 times a year. I guess I won't ever see this scene again. - Grandad

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hi Scorpion: I hope you sent Parks Canada your numbers before the cut off. I thought of sending them the hole thread, but I guess it's too late.
Grandad: At least you are easily trail-able. If I understand it right, after labor day we only get one locking a day at lock #33. We won't be able to get into the main system for day trips and a week end will be only 24 hours long!

 

[Rick V]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hi everyone
We have 2003 340 sea ray sundancer 8.1 horizons
Location... Bracebridge Ont
We boat out of marina Del Ray In Orillia on lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching, Trent, and Georgian Bay.


Rick & Val

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hi everyone
We have 2003 340 sea ray sundancer 8.1 horizons
Location... Bracebridge Ont
We boat out of marina Del Ray In Orillia on lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching, Trent, and Georgian Bay.
Rick & Val

Hi Rick & Val. Welcome to iBoats! Thanks for dropping in. I'll get your info into the next update when I get back home. I'm accessing remotely while travelling. Gotta get my fix regularly ya know. - Grandad

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Wow...This will really affect tourism. I just compared it for a run from Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay and back. I think the cost was almost double the "There and Back" pass I bought last season. You might see a big reduction in the number of Loopers coming through. Then they will have to raise prices more because the locks will be under utilized

I see this as the "beginning of the end" for the Trent system
It's already losing money, and usage is down. Reducing hours and increasing fees will reduce usage even more, so the system will lose more money.
They will then increase fees again, and so on until they finally say that the system is closing due to lack of use!!!!
From the governments perspective they are pouring money into a facility that benefits a very small percentage of the population. Lack of use, and failing infrastructure, will provide them with the perfect excuse to close it down

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Ya, somewhere in the iBoats site, there is a post about travel in the New York canal system that has free passage and lots of boater amenities, including free overnight docking, complete with access to showers. - Grandad

OK, I guess I lied. The New York Canal System isn't free. The fee for a 2 day pass for under 16' is $5 and a season's pass for boats over 39' costs a whopping $100. What a difference in approach to tourism. Have a look. - Grandad
Tolls, Passes and Permits - New York State Canals

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

It looks like they are already backtracking on their first rates.,..They have re-introducted the 6 day pass and the season pass. The cost has increased dramatically but shouldn't scare off Loopers or frequent users. The Season pass will go from $8.80 per foot to $15.00.. They posted this amendment of the proposed fees page and are still taking comments

Parks Canada has been pleased to receive Canadians’ input regarding the fee proposals over the past week. Following further review of the information and suggestions provided and in consideration of Parks Canada operational requirements and costs, additional products have been added to the proposed fee structure for lockage on the canals. We invite you to review the proposal and to continue your informed and helpful participation.

Parks Canada - Fees - Appendix 3

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Just an update to add Rick & Val's info. - Grandad

 

[LaBomba]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hi everyone, I have been on the Trawler Forum for a while but having a look at this forum to for interesting things and came across this post. Being on Lake Simcoe and a user of the canal system, this post is certainly of interest. As a result of your posts I have written my MP Peter Van Loan, the Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent and Prime Minister Harper to voice my dissatisfaction with these exorbitant increases. Hope you all do the same. You can add me to the list if you'd like. I have had too many boats to count and boating and fishing for almost 60 years. I am a Grandpa as well with 7 grandchildren who all like to fish. My boat will be in Beaverton this year and we are often in Chicken Bay on the weekends.

Allan

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Welcome to iBoats Allan. Good to have you aboard. Tell us a little about your current boat. Do you cruise very far? I'm not much of a fisherman, so if I had the boat in your avatar, it'd sure get grandkids on board, but likely only for cruises. - Grandad

 

[LaBomba]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Welcome to iBoats Allan. Good to have you aboard. Tell us a little about your current boat. Do you cruise very far? I'm not much of a fisherman, so if I had the boat in your avatar, it'd sure get grandkids on board, but likely only for cruises. - Grandad

Hey Grandad, she is a 1981 Ontario Yachts Great Lakes 33, one of 28 built between 1980 and 1985 in Burlington. It has a 165 HP Volvo Diesel in her. Hope to cruise the entire Great Lakes Loop in retirement but for now only do Simcoe and the Trent Severn. I have a 23 ft. Aquasport I used mostly for fishing but I am selling it. The diesel uses a lot less fuel.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hey Grandad, just found your thread, looks entertaining and informative, thanks for the effort!
1985 Thundercraft Magnum Express
Live in Oshawa, boat lives on Lake Scugog, spend as much free time there as possible
I've restored many of my boats, first was a 1968 Arkansas traveller (14') with a 40hp Evinrude
Had cottages and boats in the family all my life so every summer has been spent on the water

 

[Grandad]

Re: Calling All Ontario Members

Hi JBF. I've just added you and a few more members to the list. I have 89 now listed. - Grandad