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Course Outline

The Criminal Code of Canada establishes the following penalties for operating while impaired.

  • Those convicted for the first time will be fined at least $1,000 and prohibited from operating a vessel for up to three years.
  • For a second offence, the person will be imprisoned for at least 30 days and prohibited from operating a vessel for not less than two years and up to five years.
  • For each subsequent offence, the person will be imprisoned for at least 120 days and prohibited from operating a vessel for at least three years.
  • Anyone who operates a vessel while prohibited from doing so may be imprisoned for up to five years.
Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrest

There also are other penalties for operating a pleasure craft while impaired.

  • Anyone who causes an accident resulting in bodily harm to another person may be imprisoned for up to 10 years.
  • Anyone who causes the death of another person may be imprisoned for life.
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