CHECK YOUR FLARES
Do you have expired marine flares?
Flares manufactured in 2021 or earlier expire this year, as Transport Canada approves them for four years. They should be replaced every third or fourth boating season.
To dispose of expired flares, do not light them, throw them overboard, or add them to household garbage.
CanBoat / NautiSavoir volunteers and select CIL Dealers are hosting Safety Equipment Education and Flare Disposal Days (see below) to collect expired marine flares for neutralization and safe disposal.
Don’t put them in household garbage
Flares are not permitted in regular trash or at household hazardous waste facilities due to their potential explosion and fire hazards.
Don’t ignite them
Flares are only for emergencies and lighting them in non-distress situations, like decommissioning, is illegal.
Don’t throw them in the water
Marine flares contain toxic chemicals, which can pollute waterways and drinking water sources.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP BOATERS
Collection Dates & Locations
You’re invited to learn about required safety equipment and dispose of outdated marine flares, from any manufacture, for free on these days (more dates will be added):
| 2025 Dates: | Dealer / Host Squadron / Location: |
| March 29 | The Harbour Chandler with Nanaimo 52 Esplanade, Nanaimo, BC |
| April 4-5 | Trotac Marine Ltd. with Victoria 370 Gorge Rd E, Victoria, BC |
| April 10-12 | The Rigging Shoppe with Don Valley 44 Midwest Rd, Scarborough, ON |
| April 26 | Steveston Marine and Hardware with Vancouver 1667 W 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC |
| May 3 | Dan’s Nautical Shop with Windsor 12237 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, ON |
| May 3 | Wye Heritage Marine Resort with Penetanguishene 3282 Ogdens Beach Rd, Midland, ON |
| May 3 | Hully Gully Marine with London 1705 Wharncliffe Rd S, London, ON |
| May 3 | Reed Point Marina with Port Moody 850 Barnet Hwy, Port Moody, BC |
| May 10 | Queens Cove Marine with Midland 67 Juneau Rd, Victoria Harbour, ON |
| May 16 | ELS Marine Supplies Ltd. with Avalon 51 Clyde Ave, Mount Pearl, NL |
| May 17 | Bayfield Marine with Goderich 23 Fishermans Wharf Rd, Bayfield, ON |
| May 17 | Bitter End Boaters Exchange with Sunshine Coast 1044 Seamount Way, Gibsons, BC |
| May 17 | Lefroy Yacht Harbour with Barrie 727 Harbour St. Lefroy, ON |
| May 23-24 | The Chandlery with Ottawa 367 Poulin Ave, Ottawa, ON |
| May 24 | Lake’s Marine Supplies with Cowichan 5968 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC |
| May 24 | The Binnacle with Halifax 1065 Purcells Cove Rd, Halifax, NS |
| May 24 | Robinson Home Hardware with Barrie 138 Penetanguishene Rd, Barrie, ON |
| May 25 | L’Entrepot Marine with St Lawrence Montreal 379 Bd Harwood, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC |
| June 7 | Alberni Industrial Marine Supply with Vancouver Island North 3149 Kingsway Ave, Port Alberni, BC |
| June 7 | Port Whitby Marine Supplies with Oshawa 1636 Charles St #2, Whitby, ON |
| June 7 | Marina Del Rey with Orillia 4130 Bayview Ave, Ramara, ON |
| June 14 | Bridgeview Marine Services with Sarnia 1 Marina Rd, Point Edward, ON |
| June 14 | Collins Bay Marina with Kingston 1270 Coverdale Dr, Kingston, ON |
| June 14 | MacDonald Turkey Point Marina with Port Dover 92 Clubhouse Rd, Vittoria, ON |
| June 14 | Georgian Shores Marina with Blue Mountain 195 24th St W, Owen Sound, ON |
| June 28 | Bridge Yacht Sales with Port Dover 49 Harbour St, Port Dover, ON |
| July 5 | Mahone Bay Civic Marina with Bluenose 683 Main St, Mahone Bay, NS |
Dates and locations are subject to change. Check our site before you attend an event.
Thank You
The CPS Foundation has stepped up to fund this important program in partnership with CIL for Canadian boaters in 2025. Thanks to their generosity costs for shipping dangerous goods, insurance, advertising, neutralization, and disposal are covered.
BOATERS HELPING BOATERS
3 Ways You Can Help
There is no longer any funding support from Transport Canada for this program. As a result, we are reaching out to boaters to help us sustain this essential service. This program plays a vital role in ensuring a safe environment for all boaters.
Contribute by:
Why?
It’s investment from individuals like you, that allow us to better serve our boating community, develop our courses and programs for Canadian boaters.
About Us
CanBoat / NautiSavoir is operated by Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons / Escadrilles canadiennes de plaisance. A non-profit, volunteer organization that has educated and certified more than 800,000 boaters since 1938.
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