Harbour authorities
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Purpose
The creation of harbour authorities helps the Small Craft Harbour program:
- provide essential services to harbour users
- keep essential harbour facilities in good repair
Harbour authorities establish and enforce rules, and represent the needs of users at the community level.
They are also responsible for charging and collecting fees from users to cover operation costs. Fees collected from users are reinvested in harbour maintenance, operations and repairs.
While harbours are locally-operated and managed, the Small Craft Harbours program provides the following:
- property
- infrastructure
- third party liability insurance
- budget for major and minor repairs
- monitoring of the physical condition of harbours
- guidance and training on topics of national interest
History
The Harbour Authorities program was created in 1988 and has continued to grow since then. Harbour authorities currently operate and manage approximately 700 small craft harbours across Canada.
About 5,000 people generously dedicate their time to these harbour authorities, and their efforts average 200,000 hours per year, which exceeds 100 full-time positions. Each year, harbour authorities generate approximately $50 million in revenue, which is reinvested in the harbours or the communities.
The continued success of the program is largely thanks to the dedication and participation of these volunteers.
Advisory committee
The National Harbour Authority Advisory Committee (NHAAC) provides advice to the Small Craft Harbours program on matters of national interest. In addition, members exchange information and success stories, which has cultivated a strong national network.
The committee consists of three harbour authority representatives and one alternate member from five regions: Pacific, Ontario and Prairies, Quebec, Maritimes and Gulf, and Newfoundland and Labrador. These members are appointed by their Regional Harbour Authority Advisory Council (RHAAC).
Committee meetings are held at least once a year. They are co-chaired by the committee chairperson and the director general of the Small Craft Harbours program.
Records of discussion and committee terms of reference are available by contacting your regional office.
Joining a harbour authority
While the board of directors is made up of volunteers, some harbour authorities have paid staff. If you want to have a say in the management of your local authority's facilities, we encourage you to join.
By joining your local harbour authority, you will be:
- investing in your community
- helping to ensure that decisions concerning the planning, operation and maintenance of harbour facilities best reflect local needs
You may locate any harbour authority across Canada through the lists of harbour authorities and harbours.
Related links
- Small Craft Harbours program
- Harbour authority statistics
- Harbour Authority Recognition Program
- Tools for harbour authorities
- Maps of small craft harbours
- Pamphlet on the Harbour Authority program
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