Boat ban could have multimillion-dollar impact at Clear Lake, says local business owner

Written on 23 April 2024. Posted in News.

Businesses already feel effect of potential ban meant to fight zebra mussels: Lakehouse Properties president

Riding Mountain National Park businesses are mulling the impacts a potential ban of watercraft on Clear Lake could have on tourism this summer.

A letter from Parks Canada to Riding Mountain National Park business owners earlier this year, which was obtained by CBC, said the federal agency is considering the possibility of closing Clear Lake to all watercraft to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels.

Parks Canada told CBC this week that "no decisions about the management of the lake have been made at this time," and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is urging the agency not to ban boats in the western Manitoba national park.

But Karly McRae, president of Lakehouse Properties, said businesses are already starting to feel the economic impact of a possible ban.

Her Riding Mountain hotel properties already have fewer bookings than usual.

"The uncertainty around it is already causing people to cancel their cottage builds. Local contractors in the area are already suffering because people are afraid that they're not going to be able to kayak on the lake," said McRae, who is also president of the Clear Lake Country Destination Enrichment Organization.

If the ban does come into effect, it will likely have a multimillion-dollar economic impact, McRae said. She wants to see an economic impact assessment to understand what a ban could mean to tourism.

— CBC News · Posted: Apr 09, 2024 2:54 PM CDT | Last Updated: April 9