Boating
About half of all boating activity is in Ontario, principally on Lakes Ontario, Huron and Georgian Bay, Erie and Superior. Most of the country’s boating is found within 300 miles (483 kilometres) of Toronto and other major cities such as Ottawa and Montreal. Beyond the Great Lakes there is activity on local lakes and waterways and on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
These recreational uses supported the establishment of provincial and federal parks and led to a major service industry involving marinas, hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, and other nearby land-based recreational establishments. In addition, many people who use the Great Lakes for recreation have cottages or homes along the shoreline.
Boating Search And Rescue Operations in Ontario are jointly co-ordinated by the Ontario Provincial Police, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Coast Guard and other agencies.
Marine Economy
Canada's recreational boating had a $26.8 billion impact on Canada's economy in 2006 - in jobs, sales, travel, repairs, taxes, tourism revenues and consumer spending. Canadian boaters spent C$15.6 billion on boat and engine sales, accessories and other boating expenses in 2006. The report also indicates 373,606 jobs (84,000 full-time jobs in the Canadian marine industry) and 10% of Canada's tourist dollars come from recreational boating. (Study by: Genesis Public Opinion Research Inc. with Smith/Gunther Associates).