February 25, 2020
Moving Forward With Web-Based Learning
Since CPS-ECP started its journey towards offering Distance Education almost 20 years ago, its proponents would today be delighted to see our steady progress.
February 25, 2020
Introducing Director Bertrand Daigle, S
Introduced to sailing by a friend, member of CPS-ECP, it was love at first sight for Bertrand who convinced his family to board with him in this adventure that lasted more than 15 years.
February 25, 2020
Just Ask John: Safety Equipment Education and Flare Disposal Days returning
I have been asked if CPS-ECP will again be hosting local events across the country to talk to boaters about their safety equipment and provide them with the opportunity to legally dispose of outdated marine flares.
February 11, 2020
National Office Staff Listing
We are providing you with the entire staff roster so that you know their names and how to contact them. We are pleased to report that we now have five staff members who are fully bilingual and can provide service in both languages.
February 11, 2020
How to make sure you win!
Do you want to be featured on The Port Hole’s cover? Do you want your images to be part of CPS-ECP image bank for future covers and social media posts? You might also win some valuable prizes!
February 11, 2020
Choice Hotels CPS ECP Member Benefit Provider
From Victoria, BC, to St. John’s, NL, you’ll enjoy a friendly, affordable, comfortable night’s stay with Choice Hotels Canada™.
February 11, 2020
Message from the Chief Commander: New Executive Director
“It gives me great pleasure to report to you that the CPS-ECP Executive Committee has found a new National Executive Director, Mimma Spagnolo, who started 15 January 2020. She is fluently trilingual (French, English and Italian) and has an extensive IT and management background.
January 22, 2020
Introducing CPS-ECP Board of Directors Member: Brenda Cochrane
Brenda was born in Vancouver and began boating with her parents at a very young age. When Brenda was 8 years old, she moved to Ladysmith on Vancouver Island with her mom and dad, 2 younger sisters and a 28’ Bayliner.
January 22, 2020
Online Courses – Progress Report
This note is to update you on the scheduled offerings of the online versions of Boating 2, 3 and 4 courses for the Winter and Spring of 2020.
January 22, 2020
#BoatBlue and CPS-ECP at the Vancouver Boat Show
Ahoy! We’ll be presenting at the Vancouver Boat Show February 5th and 6th. Hoping to be of use to many boaters. The presentations are the result of developing boaters’ education resource with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons that aims at marine mammal and boater safety.
January 22, 2020
CPS-ECP at the Toronto International Boat Show
Visit us this weekend at Booth S7 in the New Boater Welcome Center. Get a chance to experience the Boating Simulator.
January 8, 2020
Help determine the direction of CPS-ECP: Join the CPS-ECP Board of Directors
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP.
January 8, 2020
Visit us at these upcoming Boat Shows
CPS-ECP will be exhibiting in all of these Boat Shows. Come visit our booth. Check out what’s new and register for a course!
January 8, 2020
C-TOW Marine Assistance 35th Anniversary
C-Tow is a benefit provider and a proud supporter of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons. We value their continued support to CPS-ECP and the Member Benefits Program.
December 18, 2019
National Office Closure
The National Office of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons will be closed for the holidays between Christmas and New Year’s.
December 18, 2019
CPS-ECP on the way to make available online learning!
Since our time in Victoria at the AGM the Outreach group has been very busy. We were able to present our innovative success at several occasions and draw together a good number of people interested in pursuing the development of Online Education in CPS-ECP.
December 18, 2019
CPS-ECP Chief Commander Peter Bolton’s Christmas Message
We have already changed our direction. The new software we are already using opens up new avenues, new ways of operating – we are on a voyage of discovery.
December 3, 2019
Introducing CPS-ECP’s National Secretary: Lynda Bennett-Retei, S
Lynda has been involved with Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons for over 21 years. Lynda and her now husband have been boating for over 29 years and very early on they both realized that driving a boat was not like driving a car! Firstly the markers out on the water were not road signs and weather did play a role in their enjoyment on the water.
December 3, 2019
Joseph Gatfield Leadership Award 2019
At the 2015 National Conference in Niagara Falls, the Executive Committee presented a new award for Leadership to Joe Gatfield. This Award was named “The Joseph Gatfield Leadership Award” and is to be presented annually by the Executive Committee…
December 3, 2019
CPS-ECP New IT System is Here!
We are very happy to announce that our new CPS-ECP IT System is now live at www.cps-ecp.ca
November 19, 2019
Book the CPS-ECP Boating Skills Virtual Trainer for your boat show
The BSVT embodies high-end technology featuring three computer screens with a selective rotating field of vision close to 360 degrees. It has a responsive steering wheel with console switches for horn and navigation lights.
November 19, 2019
Nationwide Workshops for our CPS-ECP Instructors
A lively day-long workshop for Sunshine Coast CPS-ECP Squadron Instructors was held on 31 October. Squadron Instructor Frank Palmer and his wife Celine generously lent their home in Gibsons, as the venue.
November 19, 2019
Introducing CPS-ECP’s National Executive Officer: Yves Dauphinais, P
Yves has 36 years of diverse experiences in sales management, marketing and public relations, strategy and business development, and technology integration including 10 years of experience in North America and 2 years at the Global level. During his career, Yves was the recipient of 11 President’s club in recognition of his overachievement.
November 5, 2019
Help determine the direction of CPS-ECP: Join the CPS-ECP Board of Directors
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) is accepting applications for Director positions from you the members of CPS-ECP.
November 5, 2019
Introducing CPS-ECP Board of Directors Member: Rob Anderson, AP
Rob started boating in the 1970’s, operating an open runabout with a 9.9 HP motor to visit his family cottage, accessible by water only. He also learned how to sail as a youth at the RCYC sailing school, and by sailing on Lake Ontario aboard a 28-foot sailboat owned by his father and two others.
November 5, 2019
CPS-ECP Members Can Win Sunsail’s 2020 Charter Contest
This year Sunsail Vacations, a benefit supplier and supporter of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, offered a $7500.00 USD Charter voucher to those who renewed their membership.
October 23, 2019
2019 AGM Environment Award
Jackie is a member of the CPS-ECP Environment Committee and has propelled CPS-ECP along a new path from what we are used to; the human invasion and pollution of the oceans.
October 23, 2019
Safe Waterways For All Vessels
We are so fortunate to live in Canada. With five main ocean watersheds (Canadian Geographic, 2019), over 8,500 named rivers (Statistics Canada, 2016) and home to the most lakes in the world (World Atlas, 2017) – Canada has more than enough opportunities to get on the water & plenty of space to share once out there.
October 23, 2019
Introducing the new Chief Commander
Peter Bolton was elected the Chief Commander of CPS-ECP during our annual AGM on October 19th. He has a great history within CPS-ECP and passion for boating.
October 8, 2019
Where Innovation Meets Safety: Canadian Safe Boating Awards
The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is a volunteer charitable organization. Our mission is to reduce the incidence of injuries and fatalities across Canada that occur as a result of recreational boating activities through innovative, relevant and effective measures.
October 8, 2019
Safer for the Environment Boat Care Products
In the late 1970’s myself and a lady friend decided leave our corporate positions to spend 3 years backpacking around the globe.
September 25, 2019
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) can come from anything that burns a carbon-based fuel (gasoline, propane, charcoal, oil, etc.). It can be created by engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, heaters, etc. CO acts a lot like air. It doesn’t rise or fall, but spreads evenly throughout an enclosed space and is very toxic.
September 25, 2019
Stretching the Season
During the fall months, when the summer heat begins to wane, fall colours scatter the shoreline, and pristine anchorages, once cluttered, now offer quiet solitude, it’s important that you are prepared for each and every trip.
September 11, 2019
Have Your Say!
The communications survey is open until September 25! The purpose of the survey is to seek input on the communications you receive from CPS-ECP and should only take you 5 minutes to complete.
September 11, 2019
Where Innovation Meets Safety: Canadian Safe Boating Awards
The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is a volunteer charitable organization. Our mission is to reduce the incidence of injuries and fatalities across Canada that occur as a result of recreational boating activities through innovative, relevant and effective measures.
September 11, 2019
Choosing the right PFD
Finding the right PFD can seem like a daunting task and extends beyond finding one that fits and floats. After all, not all vests work for all people, and no one vest works well for all activities.
September 11, 2019
Operation Life Jacket – Thornbury Ontario
Blue Mountain Power and Sail Squadron through member Dwight Dyson’s leadership, worked together with the local marine supply, the Town of Blue Mountains, Thornbury Yacht Club members and the illustrious Thornbury Harbour Staff to collect approximately 110 Lifejackets during a four-week Operation Life Jacket promotion.
August 20, 2019
What Plan, Your Plan… Strategic Priority #5 Communications
Communication is a Strategic Priority, identified in our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. Its dictionary definition is “transmitting, a giving or exchanging of information, messages, letter, etc. a means of communicating”. Sounds really simple when written out in plain language, but in fact is an aspect of CPS-ECP life that we seem to struggle with.
August 20, 2019
What can CPS-ECP offer you beyond the PCOC course?
CPS-ECP has an array of courses that enables you to become an educated skipped able to navigate the open ocean!