American recreational boaters and anglers can now cross the international border into Canadian waters without registering first with Canada Customs officials.

Docking their watercraft or venturing onto Canadian soil still requires customs intervention.

The tweak in the law was made by the Canadian government late last month.

“This is great news for boaters and for the tourism industry of border communities across Canada,” said Bob Runciman, a Canadian senator representing Ontario's Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes areas and the bill's sponsor. “It will help Americans and Canadians alike, and I could not be happier that it will become law in time for the boating season.”


The new law, which received Royal Assent from the Canadian Parliament on June 19, should alleviate anxiety on the waters between the two countries, including on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Niagara River.

In the past, boaters who veered into Canadian waters faced fines or admonitions if they failed to report their passports and water craft information to customs.

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