• In This Issue:

• BCLCA Summer Reservations Poll Open to May 31, 2025
• Association New Bytes April 30 2025
• Cancellations Can Hurt but Cancellation Policies Soften the Blow, but How do you Handle Group Cancellations?
• BC Moves to Eliminate Sick Notes for Short-Term Absences
• Explore. Camp. Connect. June is Canadian RV & Camping Month!
• Clarification on Registration Requirements under the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act for Campgrounds with Cabins
• Meeting Summary: BCLCA Parking Lot Meeting April 24, 2025 - Managing Extended Stays in RV Parks and Campgrounds
• Go RVing Canada – Update
• BCLCA Welcomes New Members

BCLCA Summer Reservations Poll Open to May 31, 2025

QUESTION: Is your projected reservation business (i.e. bookings) for the months of June, July, August and September up, down, or the same compared to the same period in 2024?

To participate in the poll visit: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/TBSKWCq

CONFIDENTIALITY - We respect the confidentiality of the data provided and therefore will not publish responses by any individual or organization. All responses are anonymous and will be reported in aggregate only.

ASSOCIATION NEWS BYTES APRIL 8, 2025

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

Announcements, Reports and Research

• Reminder: BCLCA's consumer fundraising 2025 ONLINE Auction supporting Care Camps opens May 15 and runs until June 22. The auction raising funds to send kids with cancer to camp will feature a variety of items for consumers to bid on, including gift cards for camping nights, cabin stays, experiences, clothing, and more… to donate an item please email Darlene at Darlene@bclca.com or call her today at 604-908-5594.
• Check out the Preferred Suppliers catalogue online to find products and services needed to run your operation over the coming months. https://bclca.com/bclca-supplier/
• June is officially Canadian RV and Camping Month, a month-long celebration of the joys of camping and RVing across Canada! This initiative expands on the success of Canadian RV and Camping Week, offering more flexibility and opportunities for campgrounds, RV dealerships, and businesses to participate. Get Involved! - Canadian RV & Camping Month: June - Canadian Camping and RV Association

Marketing Services & Benefits

• Reminder to update your Travel-British-Columbia business listing (it is included as a benefit of membership) - Please ensure your listing on https://www.travel-british-columbia.com is up to date send any updates and photos you may have to office@bclca.com. The site has over 300,000 visitors annually. Note the data is also used by BCLCA to populate https://gorving.ca/campground-location/british-columbia/

Education Services, Webinars and Parking Lots

• Register for the final spring Webinar on May 29, 2025 (9:00 – 10:00 am) – Introduction to Workplace Mental Health and the Mental Health Continuum – Practical Tips & Tools for BC Campground Operators. Join presenter Ginger Brunner, Manager, Industry Human Resources & Mental Health, go2HR for an engaging and interactive webinar that will help campground operators: 1) Recognize the role of mental health in their workplace. 2) Apply the Mental Health Continuum tool to help identify when someone may be struggling, 3) Gain practical tips and resources to help start mental health conversations and support your employees.

Register in advance for this FREE webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uduuorz4qH9Ct55JUSYWoMMGal3qoWPBn



• Reminder to mark your calendars and plan to attend the Western Ideas Forum November 3 – 6, 2025 – St Eugene Golf Resort, Cranbrook. The four western provinces are coming together to host the event. Details to be posted in May 2025.

CANCELLATIONS CAN HURT BUT CANCELLATION POLICIES SOFTEN THE BLOW BUT HOW DO YOU HANDLE GROUP CANCELLATIONS?

Member Sheridan Lake Resort posted the following post on the bulletin board in the member partner extranet:

“Hello Everyone! Hard to believe another season is upon us, but we are so looking forward to it! I have a question about cancellation policies in regard to family reunion bookings. I am always leery when I book these knowing that the whole party could cancel. I am wondering for those who book family reunions at your resort/park, do you have a separate cancellation policy to cover yourself for this? I just had a large group cancel for July and it is often hard to fill such a large hole. I do charge individual cancellation fees, but they are minimal in relation to the availability I am now sitting with. Your thoughts?”

If you have a cancellation policy for group bookings or suggestions, please share your thoughts with Joss Penny at jpenny@bclca.com.

BC MOVES TO ELIMINATE SICK NOTES FOR SHORT-TERM ABSENCES

The B.C. government has introduced legislation aimed at removing the requirement for employees to provide doctor's notes for short-term illnesses. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside recently introduced Bill 11, which proposes amendments to the Employment Standards Act to clarify that employers cannot request, and employees are not obligated to provide, sick notes from physicians, nurse practitioners, or registered nurses for brief absences due to illness or injury.

Health Minister Josie Osborne emphasized that this change addresses concerns from healthcare professionals about the administrative burden of issuing sick notes, which detracts from patient care. The Canadian Medical Association estimates that B.C. doctors wrote approximately 1.6 million sick notes in 2024.

While the bill has been introduced, it has not yet been passed into law. The government plans to establish regulations defining "short-term absence" and outlining the frequency of absences before a sick note may be required. These regulations are expected to be in place before the respiratory illness season in fall 2025.

Click here to read the official news release.

Explore. Camp. Connect. June is Canadian RV & Camping Month!

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association is please to support and be part of Canadian RV & Camping Month organized by the Canadian Camping and RV Association. It is a month-long celebration highlighting the beauty of Canada’s natural landscapes, the importance of time spent outdoors with family and friends, and the unmatched experiences waiting at local campgrounds from coast to coast.

What is Canadian RV & Camping Month?

Canadian RV & Camping Month is a nationwide celebration throughout June 2025, designed to:

• Increase awareness of the RV and camping lifestyle.
• Boost campground occupancy and consumer engagement.
• Gain media and political recognition for the industry.
• Encourage a nationwide commitment to supporting Care Camps, a charity that provides camping experiences for children with cancer.

Why Shift from a Week to a Month?

• Greater flexibility for campground owners to participate at their convenience.
• More media exposure and opportunity to engage consumers.
• Increased political traction with official proclamations in each province.
• Higher economic impact, giving industry partners and businesses more time to run promotions and events.

The Message Support Local, Camp Local

With many Canadians choosing to avoid international travel this year, Canadian RV & Camping Month is also a meaningful way to support local campground operators, small businesses, and the tourism economy — all while enjoying unforgettable time outdoors.

Camp for a Cause

In partnership with Care Camps, participating campgrounds will also be raising funds to support children with cancer by helping send them to specialized oncology camps across Canada.

Campgrounds that sign up to fundraise will receive additional promotional benefits and will be showcased throughout the campaign.



BCLCA's consumer fundraising 2025 ONLINE Auction supporting Care Camps opens on May 15 and runs until June 22. The auction raises funds to send kids with cancer to camp, and will feature a variety of items for consumers to bid on, including gift cards for camping nights, cabin stays, experiences, clothing, and more… to donate an item please email Darlene at Darlene@bclca.com or call her today at 604-908-5594.

How to Join In

Campers can participate by booking a stay at any Canadian campground during the month of June.

A national campground directory is available and all BCLCA campground members are searchable at https://gorving.ca/campground-location/british-columbia/ courtesy of Go RVing Canada

Promotional tools for campgrounds that wish to help spread the word are available here: https://ccrva.ca/canadian-rv-and-camping-month/

Let’s come together and celebrate Canada’s incredible outdoors, support our communities, and make this summer one to remember — camp local, camp Canadian.

CLARIFICATION ON REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMMODATION ACT FOR CAMPGROUNDS WITH CABINS



The BCLCA wrote to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, who on our behalf contacted the Ministry of Housing registrar, to address the question re cabins located at campgrounds needing to register with the Short-Term Rental Registry. The response from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture was:

 “As this is an interpretation question, we have asked the Registrar for his opinion on the matter. He agreed that cabins on campgrounds is a grey area – and therefore within his purview as statutory decision maker. His direction was that cabins (even those with full wiring, plumbing and kitchen) that are a part of a legal campground, that operate similarly to a hotel or motel (e.g. single owner, consistent branding, commercial zoning) are exempt from registration under the hotel/motel exemption.



Campground operators can submit requests for refunds to strbranch@gov.bc.ca. Please note that requests can take over 30 days to be individually assessed and processed.”

Editors Note: At the time of writing BCLCA has not received an official response from the Ministry of Housing registrar but has been informed that one is coming per the wording above.

MEETING SUMMARY: BCLCA PARKING LOT MEETING APRIL 24, 2025 - MANAGING EXTENDED STAYS IN RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

Lisa Mackie, Partner, Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, whose primary areas of practice are Strata Property Law and Residential Tenancy Law, presented a session on managing extended stays at campgrounds to avoid unintentionally creating tenancies.

She discussed the differences between tenancies and licenses to occupy, emphasizing the importance of language, documentation, and staff training in maintaining temporary occupancy status. She also addressed challenges in defending against residential tenancy branch proceedings and offered advice on various aspects of campground management, including deposits, site rotation, and interactions with guests.

To view the recording please visit:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/NqsQBdb6scWaOqU223fZDkX5L81eFOLoPfmhaozPyr2HIr2QkiPgMVq6Zk4V9qSd.ZVls1FHalJ4jLZbt

Passcode: #CWa&f55

To request a copy of the Managing Extended Stays in RV Parks and Campgrounds Guidelines or a copy of Lisa Mackie’s PowerPoint presentation please email jpenny@bclca.com

GO RVING CANADA - UPDATE

The April 2025 update from Go RVing Canada highlights the organization's strategic efforts to promote RVing as a meaningful and accessible lifestyle choice for Canadians. Amid shifting consumer interests and a renewed focus on local travel, Go RVing Canada is leveraging targeted campaigns, digital innovation, and media outreach to engage a broader audience.

​

Key Initiatives:



• Core Campaigns: The "You Are Out There" campaign continues to resonate with Canadians, emphasizing the freedom and adventure of RVing. Simultaneously, the "It’s Worth Your Wild" campaign positions RVing as a valuable investment in quality time and memorable experiences. These campaigns are being expanded across platforms like Amazon Prime TV and YouTube to reach new audiences.​
• Digital Transformation: A newly revamped website offers an interactive and dynamic experience, making it easier for users to explore RVing options and find suitable RVs. This digital upgrade aligns with the growing demand for online resources among prospective RVers.​
• Emphasis on Connection: Recognizing a cultural shift towards seeking deeper connections—with nature, loved ones, and national identity—Go RVing Canada's campaigns, such as "Gift of Canada," aim to tap into this sentiment by encouraging Canadians to rediscover their country through RV travel.​
• Media Engagement: By collaborating with various media outlets, including national news, local publications, and podcasts, Go RVing Canada is amplifying stories about RVing, thereby increasing public interest and industry momentum.​

Visit the website to explore the full range of Go RVing Canada programs and information: https://gorving.ca/

Visit the YouTube channel to discover the latest videos – and the archive of entertaining campaigns that have brought RVing to millions of families:

https://www.youtube.com/@GoRVingCda/featured

Overall, Go RVing Canada's initiatives are designed to position RVing as a compelling option for Canadians seeking meaningful travel experiences, while also supporting industry growth through enhanced visibility and consumer engagement.​

BCLCA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Introducing New Active Members

Hornby Island Resort, Hornby Island

Brad and Jack Hornstein

jph@island.net

https://hornbyislandresort.ca/

Introducing New Suppliers (to search the suppliers directory click here)

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Special Wholesale Offer: Place your wholesale order of 10 or more by May 16th and receive a complimentary personalized Quick-Fire Striker. You can customize this striker with text of your choosing – a perfect, no-cost gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life!

CONTACT:

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admin@quick-fire.ca

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https://quick-fire.ca/registration/