Boating safety

Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site

Historic Canals regulations, Small vessels regulations and Collision regulations are in force in all historic canals. It is the responsibility of pleasure boat operators to be informed and familiar with the regulations in effect in historic canals. Certain activities are prohibited in a canal. Users must demonstrate judgment and civic-mindedness on Parks Canada sites at all times.

Rules for navigating the historic canal:

• The nautical speed limit in the canal is 10 km/h.
• Boat operator must control its wake at all times so as not to compromise the safety of people or other watercraft in the canal.
• Domestic animals must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Excessive noise is prohibited on historic canals between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m..
• It is forbidden to jump, dive or swim in the canal and in the approach docks.
• It is prohibited to fish less than 10 m from a lock or from an approach wharf, or on a bridge over the canal.

Visitors who contravene the regulations risk a fine, revocation of their permit, or legal action. To learn more about the rules that apply to the historic site, visit the Visitor Guidelines section. 

Locking through safely

Learn step-by-step how to lock safely by visiting the Locking through safely page, and consult the technical data for Parks Canada's historic canals of Quebec.