Penalties for Operating While Impaired

The Criminal Code of Canada establishes the following penalties for operating while impaired.

• Those convicted for the first time will be fined at least $1,000 and prohibited from operating a vessel for up to three years.
• For a second offence, the person will be imprisoned for at least 30 days and prohibited from operating a vessel for not less than two years and up to five years.
• For each subsequent offence, the person will be imprisoned for at least 120 days and prohibited from operating a vessel for at least three years.
• Anyone who operates a vessel while prohibited from doing so may be imprisoned for up to five years.

There also are other penalties for operating a pleasure craft while impaired.

• Anyone who causes an accident resulting in bodily harm to another person may be imprisoned for up to 10 years.
• Anyone who causes the death of another person may be imprisoned for life.