2018 Assembly planning

Rob Stevens

Wooden Canoes are in the Blood
For those who may be planning extra travel or a canoe excursion around the Assembly dates (July 17-22nd), here is a compilation of resources that you may find helpful;

LOCAL INTERESTS & ATTRACTIONS:

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism; https://thekawarthas.ca/

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park; https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/kawarthahighlands

Friends of Algonquin Provincial Park; http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Ontario Provincial Parks: http://www.ontarioparks.com/en (celebrating 125 years!)
Note; Reservations for Provincial Parks are done online 5 months ahead of time –which affects availability of sites. https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/

PADDLING RESOURCES:

Paddle Canada: https://www.paddlecanada.com/

Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA): http://www.orcka.ca/

Wilderness Canoe Association: https://www.wildernesscanoe.ca/

REGIONAL CANOE ROUTES

Algonquin Provincial Park: http://www.myccr.com/content/algonquin-provincial-park

French River Region; http://www.myccr.com/content/french-river-region
French River Provincial Park: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/frenchriver

Georgian Bay; http://www.myccr.com/content/georgian-bay-basin
http://www.myccr.com/content/georgian-bay-coast
Massassauga Provincial Park: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/themassasauga
Friends of Massassauga Provincial Park: https://friendsofthemassasauga.wildapricot.org/
“Thirty Thousand Islands” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty_Thousand_Islands

Haliburton, Kawarthas & Georgian Bay; http://www.myccr.com/content/haliburton-kawartha-muskoka

Kilarney; http://www.myccr.com/content/killarney-region
Friends of Kilarney Park: http://www.friendsofkillarneypark.com/

Ottawa River Valley; http://www.myccr.com/content/ottawa-region
+Whitewater Rafting; https://owlrafting.com/
http://www.wildernesstours.com/
http://www.riverrunners.com/


Temagami Region: http://www.myccr.com/content/temagami-region
Ottertooth forums; http://www.ottertooth.com/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics


ONTARIO WOODEN CANOE BUILDERS:

WCHA Builder Members: http://www.wcha.org/builders-and-suppliers-directory ("Ontario)

Wooden Canoe Builders Guild: http://www.wcbguild.com/
 
BORDER CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAVEL TO 2018 WCHA ASSEMBLY

It is important to have adequate personal documentation for all persons crossing the Canada/USA border. This would typically mean a passport (card or book), but could also include an enhanced driver's license, mobile passport, or NEXUS card for frequent travelers.

Be sure documentation is up to date and valid for everyone in your party, for entry into Canada, and also for returning to the US. Trying to bring boats or personal gear across the border should not present a problem entering Canada, as long as you're not bringing prohibited items (plants and animals, controlled drugs, firearms and ammunition, etc) and as long as there is no suggestion of commercial or business enterprise involved. If the latter is suspected, it triggers a host of rules and regulations which are better avoided. As long as all members are simply entering Canada for a vacation with their personal possessions, the usual regulations apply re duty-free, etc. It is important that on crossing the border, you are not perceived as attempting to sell anything in Canada, or be employed in Canada, and will be taking all your possessions home again. Otherwise, it could complicate entry into the country. A 13% Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) tax is charged on goods and services in Canada. Non-resident visitors may apply to have this refunded.

To access further information on Canadian regulations on the internet, go to website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca At the English home page, click on "Travellers" on the top left, then "Travellers - more" at the bottom of the list, then on "non-Canadians". From here, there's lots of information under "General Information" on tax rebates, pets, etc. Under "Visitors to Canada" are things like Travel Tips, Information for Visitors, etc.

To ensure an uncomplicated return to the US, refer to the home page for US Customs and Border Protection : www.cbp.gov Click on "Travel", then scroll down and click on "For US Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents.

For fliers, there are submenus on Automated Passport Control, Mobile Passport Control, etc. At the bottom of the page are videos eg. "Know Before You Go". Further information includes duty-free exemptions, gifts, required documentation, and a host of other travel-related topics.

Online Resources:

U.S. Passport (card or book): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

U.S. Mobile Passport: https://mobilepassport.us/

Enhanced Driver’s License: Check with your state DMV.

NEXUS: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBT): https://www.cbp.gov/

Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA): Welcome to Canada:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

GST/HST refund: http://www.visitorstocanada.com/visitortaxrefund.html

NOTE: For those travelling from the west of Toronto, the Hwy 407 Express Toll Route (ETR) is the most expensive toll road in North America. https://www.407etr.com/en/index.html

For real time traffic and weather, visit; http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/trip/map.shtml
 
Some guidance on buying and selling goods at Assembly this year would be useful. I can foresee potential problems crossing the border with canoe trailers loaded with multiple high value boats since canoes are not typically registered or titled. Proving ownership could be fun. What sort of documentation might help ease the crossings? If you do buy a canoe while at Assembly what is involved in taking it home?

Is there anything the WCHA can do to notify both US and Canadian authorities that we have an event taking place that will involve many crossings with unregistered watercraft that might make things easier on the membership and border agents?
 
Here are some pointers based on my own experience at the border. Everyone should do their own research as well.

 
such a nice forum!! I really appreciate from your forum. Thanks for sharing wonderful and useful information.
Thank you
 
Assembly registration forms have been posted to the Assembly page (http://wcha.org/annual-assembly) - Registration for the 2018 WCHA Annual Assembly is officially open!
 

Attachments

  • WCHA Assembly Registration Form Fillable.pdf
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  • 2018 Assembly Registration Information.pdf
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Angelika & I are now registered for the Assembly and will be over from the UK for a couple of weeks. Can we order some warm weather please? See you all in July
 
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