Changes to Canadian Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) Now in Effect

Today, the Canadian federal government announced several changes to the Canadian Pleasure Craft License (PCL) that are now in effect.

In a press release, Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced amendments to the Small Vessel Regulations that will affect all of Canada's pleasure craft licensing program and database.

The following changes have taken effect as of December 31, 2025:

• New and renewed pleasure craft licences will only be valid for five years

• Current lifetime licences will be gradually replaced with licences that must be renewed every five years

• A $24 service fee will apply to issuing, renewing, transferring, or replacing a Pleasure Craft Licence. This fee will be updated annually for inflation

• Licence holders must now update their information within 30 days of a change in their name or address, instead of the previous 90 days

These changes are intended to make boating safer, protect the environment, and ensure licence holders share the cost of administering the program. The federal government also hopes to use the funds and administrative changes to tackle wrecked, hazardous, and abandoned vessels by keeping ownership information accurate and up to date.

“Recreational boating is part of who we are as Canadians, and it’s essential that our safety system keeps pace with the way people use our waterways today. By modernizing the pleasure craft licensing program, we’re strengthening marine safety, improving environmental protection, and ensuring we have accurate information when it matters most,” said MacKinnon.

The Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) is a unique identification number for recreational boats that have one or more engines whose combined power is at least 10 horsepower- similar to a car’s license plate. It allows emergency responders and law enforcement to quickly identify the owner of a boat, which improves response times in urgent situations and supports efforts to address unsafe or abandoned boats.

You can follow the Transport Canada website to apply for a new licence or manage an existing licence, as well as determine what constitute a pleasure craft vs. non-pleasure craft.

Key Details

• All pleasure craft with one or more motors adding up to 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more must have a valid licence under the Small Vessel Regulations.

• The amendments will introduce a new five-year licence validity period and a $24 service fee for licence-related services.

• Applications for a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL), payment of the new service fee, and requests for fee exemptions for those exercising section 35 treaty rights can be completed through Transport Canada’s website.

• Persons who declare that they use a pleasure craft to exercise their rights as recognized and affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and use a pleasure craft to exercise these rights, will not be required to pay this service fee.

• Manufacturers, builders, and importers holding a Manufacturer Identification Code will now be required to update their contact information within 30 days of any change.

• Beginning two years after the regulations take effect, wind-powered pleasure craft over six metres in length will be required to hold a licence. #news