Petition calling to allow motorized boats on Clear Lake garners thousands of signatures

Due to the ongoing zebra mussel problem, motorboats are banned on Clear Lake this summer.

A petition calling on Riding Mountain National Park to allow motorized watercraft on Clear Lake this summer has garnered more than 2,000 signatures.

The petition, which is available on change.org, says park officials previously said motorized boating would be back for the 2025 season. However, shortly before the May long weekend, Parks Canada announced this would not be the case because of zebra mussels.

“This blindsided visitors and devastated local businesses that rely on boating tourism,” the petition says.

“If zebra mussels are a concern, the solution is inspection and education—not a full ban that punishes responsible users.”

Now the petition is calling on Riding Mountain National Park and Parks Canada to keep its original commitment and implement “fair and proven” measures to manage zebra mussels.

“We’re not asking for excuses. We’re asking for action,” the petition states.

This petition comes after Parks Canada announced that it will continue to restrict motorized watercraft on the lake.

The government says it’s taking a precautionary approach to protect the health of Clear Lake and other nearby bodies of water and reduce the spread of zebra mussels.