Thanks Grant...I would be curious to know this also. I was a little surprised to hear all the new regulations that took effect this year regarding the required equipment on your kayaks and canoes in Canada (or at least Ontario). You must WEAR a life jacket, have a floatable 50 foot throw line, a bailer (or bilge pump) and a whistle. In my opinion this is going ‘overhoard’, especially since I do canoe trips on very sheltered lakes and wearing a life jacket is not necessary (in my opinion). Nobody would hear my whistle when I’m several miles from the nearest person, and who am I going to throw this 50 line to? I believe the fine is a steep $175. I found this all out when I went to purchase a spray skirt and life jacket and the only throw lines left were $80! I went to a hardware store and bought 50’ of rope that floats for $8. I plan on wearing the life jacket all the time in the kayak since I’ll be on Lake Huron mostly and it can get pretty rough, however when I’m 5-10 portages and 20 lakes into the middle of a park, I’ll take my chances in running into any enforcement.

: On behalf of Rod and any other Canuck wondering about the HIN process in
: Canada I will venture forward into the abyss of the federal beauracracy. I
: will report back if I return form the other side.

: grant