Boblo Island approved for provincial golf cart program

Amherstburg Municipal Building.

The issue of golf carts in residential areas has arisen again, but it is good news for Boblo Island.

The Ministry of Transportation has approved Boblo as part of an expanded golf cart pilot program. A letter from Raj Cheema, manager of the road safety program development office with the MTO, that appeared on last night’s council meeting agenda announced the approval.

“As a result, golf carts will now be permitted to operate on-road within the Township of Amherstburg, within the area of Bois Blanc Island at the start of the riding season, which begins on April 1, 2025 and ends on November 30, 2025,” the letter states.

Cheema’s letter adds: “The pilot regulation (Ontario Reg. 407/21) sets out the broad regulatory framework to allow golf carts in specified municipalities. It outlines specific operator and vehicle safety requirements. The pilot is intended to assess these vehicles for a defined period ending on June 3, 2031, to examine their ability to safely integrate with other vehicle types and determine whether existing rules of the road are adequate.”

Cheema wrote that Amherstburg will need to pass a by-law to allow the use of golf carts on municipal roads in Bois Blanc Island, “as well as to add any additional requirements your municipality would like to implement, above and beyond those set out in the regulation to ensure safety.”

Tuesday’s meeting occurred after this issue of the RTT went to press. Should there be any more details that come out as a result of the Tuesday night meeting, it will be reported in the July 2 issue.

Amherstburg will be required to submit annual data reports by March 1, 2026. 

Boblo/Bois Blanc was the only area referenced in the MTO letter. The town had sought approval for Lake Erie Country Club as part of the pilot project as well.

Boblo Island approved for provincial golf cart program

By Ron Giofu