Clear Lake residents taking legal action against motorized boat ban

A group of Clear Lake residents is taking legal action against Parks Canada's ban of motorized boats.

A group of Clear Lake residents is taking legal action against Parks Canada’s ban on motorized boats.

Last month, the government agency announced only non-motorized watercraft would be allowed on the lake and surrounding waters in 2025 in an attempt to stop the spread of zebra mussels.

Now, a coalition of local organizations called “Fairness for Clear Lake” has filed an application for judicial review of this decision. The group claims Parks Canada’s decision was made without “meaningful consultation, clear evidence, or regard for the economic, cultural and community impacts.”

“Whether you have a boat or you don’t or whether you want boats back on the lake or not, I think we can all agree that decision-making at Riding Mountain National Park needs to be improved,” said Trevor Boquist, vice president of the Clear Lake Cottage Owners Association, at a town hall on Wednesday.

“It needs to include all stakeholders. We need to be able to participate and collaborate.”

“Fairness for Clear Lake” said the goal is to reverse the ban, uncover the evidence Parks Canada used to make its decision, and reinstate accountability in federal decision-making.

CTV News has reached out to Parks Canada for comment.

• With files from CTV’s Taylor Brock.