Dogwood Express Newsletter
March 15, 2024: Issue 65
In This Issue:
 
  • Association News Bytes March 2024
  • B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Principal Residence Regulations: Do They Apply to My Community?
  • Outdoor Recreation Council of BC Announces New Grant Intake
  • Destination Canada Forges Partnership with FCM
  • New Income Tax Trust Reporting Requirements
  • RV Park in the Okanagan Requires Operator
  • WorkSafe BC Update on Occupational First Aid Regulatory Change
ASSOCIATION NEWS BYTES MARCH 2024

Check out BCLCA's schedule of events and activities. Stay up-to-date with industry happenings and participate in the webinars and forums.

Advocacy Calendar

  • March 5 – 7, 2024 – Jeffrey Kirkman and Sanda van Steijn BCLCA directors and Executive Director Joss Penny attended the Tourism Industry Conference of BC in Victoria to learn, participate and promote members’ concerns.
  • April 15 - 17, 2024 – Canadian Camping and RVing Association meetings and day on Parliament Hill, Ottawa with BC representatives Jamie Cox, President and Joss Penny, Executive Director meeting MPs – Advocacy: Policy Positions - Canadian Camping and RV Association (ccrvc.ca)
  • June 6 – 8, 2024 – Joss Penny, Executive Director attending Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention being held in Calgary with other Canadian Camping and RVing Association members to promote the value of camping and address zoning definitions.

Marketing Opportunities


Education Services
BC'S SHORT-TERM RENTAL PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE REGULATIONS: DO THEY APPLY TO MY COMMUNITY?

British Columbia has made regulations which will restrict short-term rentals to principal residences and either a secondary suite or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in many B.C. communities, starting May 1, 2024. Several members have asked are they located in exempt communities or not?

Some smaller communities and tourist destinations in B.C. are exempt from the province’s principal residence requirement.

Types of land that are exempt from the principal residence requirement include:
OUTDOOR RECREATION COUNCIL OF BC ANNOUNCES NEW GRANT INTAKE
 
The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia has announced an upcoming grant intake for the new Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC.
 
The fund supports initiatives that create meaningful outdoor recreational and nature-based experiences for British Columbians. Eligible organizations can apply between mid-March and April 2024.
 
Learn more about the grant opportunity HERE.
DESTINATION CANADA FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH FCM
 
Destination Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), representing over 2,100 Canadian municipalities, have signed a first-of-its-kind partnership agreement to proactively engage community leaders and by extension, their constituents and strategic partners so they understand the value of tourism and the power of collective destination stewardship and thoughtful tourism development. This collaboration will also emphasize how the organization can leverage the visitor economy to benefit communities and residents economically, social-culturally, and environmentally across the country.
 
The partnership will run over the next three years with the goal to:
 
  1. Allow Destination Canada to introduce the economic, social and environmental value of the visitor economy to one of Canada’s most influential advocacy bodies.
  2. Establish joint initiatives and programs that fulfill the mandates for both the FCM and Destination Canada.
  3. Educate municipal leaders on tourism-related opportunities and challenges to foster greater support and alignment for Destination Development work within communities.
 
Learn more and read the full announcement HERE.
NEW INCOME TAX TRUST REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

For the 2023 taxation year, changes to the Income Tax Act will require new filings for taxpayers who are part of a “Bare Trust” arrangement. While you may not be familiar with this term, Bare Trust arrangements are extremely common and may apply to you.

Overview

There are many instances where taxpayers are not aware that they have a filing requirement under these new rules. Bare Trust arrangements require no legal documentation, and exist where legal ownership of a property does not match the beneficial ownership of the property. A person who has beneficial ownership is the person who is entitled to the income from the property or proceeds on the sale of the property. "Property" could be any asset, such as real estate, vehicles, bank accounts and investment accounts. If more than one of these instances apply, then more than one trust return will be required.
Examples of these common situations can include:

  • Properties (principal residences, or otherwise) with parents, children, other relatives or non-relatives legally listed on title, most commonly for the purpose of estate planning, probate avoidance, or for obtaining financing
  • Bank or investment accounts held jointly (excluding spouses) with parents, children, other relatives or non-relatives, most commonly for the purpose of estate planning, probate avoidance, or simply for convenience, with a fair market value greater than $50,000 (excludes any registered accounts such as RRSP, RESP etc.)
  • Assets, such as vehicles, land or buildings, that are utilized or listed as assets in a corporation, where the legal title, registration or purchase documentation is in the name of the shareholder.

Will I Owe Income Tax?

No – the filing requirement for bare trusts will not result in taxes payable, it is simply an information return.

Are There Penalties?

Although no income tax will be owing, there are significant late-filing penalties that could apply. A penalty of up to $2,500 can be charged per return.

For more information on Bare Trusts –

RV PARK IN THE OKANAGAN REQUIRES OPERATOR

Okanagan Staffing is seeking applicants to live and operate an RV park next to a beautiful River in the Okanagan. Enjoy lodging in the managers house for two people as a reward, receive compensation up to $70 k per couple, 3 weeks vacation in off season and a refreshing lifestyle. You must oversee the campground operations, guest services, maintenance of public areas, and have effective communication/customer service skills.

Previous experience in property management/hospitality required, use of Quickbooks along with managing budgets, cash, and maintaining guest records with MS Office. If you are seeking a new challenge in a career in a beautiful setting, apply to [email protected]
WORKSAFE BC UPDATE ON OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID REGULATORY CHANGE
 
On November 1, 2024, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation relating to occupational first aid will come into effect. The changes mean employers across the province will need to review their current first aid plans, supplies, and equipment and make adjustments.  
 
Below is an update on our implementation of these amendments.  
 
Draft guidelines now available

WorkSafeBC develops OHS Guidelines to assist employers in the application and interpretation of changes to the OHS Regulation. We have posted the draft OHS Guidelines for Part 3 - Occupational First Aid for public comment.  
 
Stakeholders can submit comments and revision requests until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.  
 
If you have questions or comments relating to the draft guidelines, please email [email protected].  
 
Workplace first aid assessments

Under the amended OHS Regulation, employers will have a duty to establish their workplace first aid requirements in consultation with their workers. Employers will need to complete a written first aid assessment for each workplace. 
 
This assessment will also help employers determine the appropriate first aid services needed to ensure prompt first aid treatment and transport to a medical facility.  

Additional resources, including a digital tool to help employers assess their workplace, will be available on worksafebc.com in the coming months.  
 
New first aid training and kit requirements

The amendments to the OHS Regulation also align with standards established by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) — benchmarks used across the country to guide workplace first aid programs. This will result in new naming conventions for Occupational First Aid (OFA) credentials, along with changes to the course duration for the intermediate (currently OFA 2) level. However, anyone holding a current valid first aid certificate under the current requirements can continue to use it until it expires.  
 
First aid kit and equipment requirements will also change to align with the CSA standards. Once an employer has assessed their workplace factors, they can refer to the draft OHS Guideline to determine the minimum first aid kit supplies and equipment they will need. Employers must supplement existing kits with any new contents required. Where supplies have changed by size or description only, employers may move to these new contents when new kits are purchased, or as supplies are replaced.  
 
For more information:
BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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