Question Period Note: Motorized Watercraft Restriction at Clear Lake

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• Parks Canada remains committed to managing the impact of zebra mussels on the natural environment while continuing to provide meaningful visitor experiences at Riding Mountain National Park.
• For 2025, Parks Canada announced that it would be taking a precautionary approach to attempt to slow the spread of the invasive zebra mussels in Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park by only permitting non-motorized watercraft.
• The restriction on motorized watercraft will allow for robust monitoring and scientific investigation of zebra mussel spread, thereby protecting the health of Clear Lake and outlying waterbodies of the park, mitigating risks to downstream waters and community infrastructure.

• Parks Canada is taking a precautionary approach to attempt to slow the spread of zebra mussles thereby protecting the health of Clear Lake and outlying waterbodies in Riding Mountain National Park by only permitting non-motorized watercraft in 2025. The restriction on motorized watercraft will be continued in Riding Mountain National Park in 2025 to allow for robust monitoring and scientific investigation of zebra mussel spread.
• Working in partnership with Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, and with other stakeholders, Parks Canada will initiate a comprehensive research study to understand the ecological and socio-economic impacts of motorized watercraft use in Riding Mountain National Park, including the IR 61A section of Clear Lake.
• In January 2025, Parks Canada announced plans to permit watercraft back on Clear Lake for the upcoming open water season, under a “one boat one lake” aquatic invasive species prevention program that would operate similarly to the tagging program implemented in 2023. Many members of the public and stakeholders have expectations that this means motorized watercraft will be permitted in 2025, and the announcement that plans have changed by open water season will be met with mixed reactions.
• The public was encouraged to share their feedback during in-person engagement opportunities and through an online questionnaire offered in February 2025. This feedback provided insight into public opinions about how to manage watercraft use on Clear Lake going forward.
• Discussions and engagement opportunities provided Parks Canada with a wide variety of highly polarized views. It was evident that any decision made would not address all concerns raised during the engagement feedback process. The summary of “what we heard” was intended to be shared with stakeholders and the public in April 2025, however, this was delayed to respect the caretaker period associated with the federal election.

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