BlackburnNews.com file photo of Lakeview Park Marina, August 12, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com file photo of Lakeview Park Marina, August 12, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Chatham

Tecumseh Mayor: Nexus Fines For Boaters Are A Cash Grab

The mayor of Tecumseh is looking for clarification about recreational boaters soon needing to use Nexus cards if they drift over the international boundary line.

Gary McNamara says regulations and fines will be imposed soon, but boaters need more information about what's coming.

McNamara calls the fine a cash grab.

"What are you going to do about some young lad here, which we see all the time in the summer on his jet ski, that's an imaginary line.  Obviously they're not going to the shore of the U.S., and now if they cross that line they'll be subject to $1,000 fine," says McNamara.

McNamara is sending a letter to the minister of public safety requesting an explanation.  He wants to know what the rationale is behind the decision.

"If you have to have that Nexus card and call the authorities.  What's that all about?  Does this apply all the way through waterways that separate the United States and Canada?  Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River or Lake Superior?" he says.

McNamara says it doesn't make any sense.

"Here in our own community, Lake St. Clair is a playground for thousands of people, tourism as well.  We have sailing clubs, yacht clubs, regattas, sports fishing and all of that," McNamara says.

-With files from Maureen Revait

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