As of January 1st, 2026, the federal government has changed the licensing requirements for pleasure craft – recreational-use boats with motors of 10 horsepower or more. The vessel licence, like a car or other vehicle licence plates, must be displayed on the boat. it will now require renewing every five years, and where registration and licensing was once free, it will now cost $24 to issue, renew, or transfer. Regulations dealing with the change also provide for the fee to increase annually with inflation.
Licences were once issued on a lifetime basis and more recently on a 10-year basis. Licences issued prior to 1985 with no expiry date will now have to be renewed by December 31st of 2026, while those issued after that will need to be renewed prior to their expiration date. There is a $250 fine for having an unregistered boat or not displaying its registration number.
A government news release announcing the change noted that in addition to the new renewal period, owners now have just 30 days to advise the government of a change of name, address or ownership, rather than the previous 90 days. The new fee and licence requirements will apply to wind-powered water-craft over 8 meters (25 feet) in length as of 2027. The changes are intended to help with boat and boat owner identification in cases of emergencies, loss, or abandonment.
For more information visit the Transport Canada Vessel Licensing and Registration page here.