CCRVC, RVDA of Canada and Canadian RV Association Call for More Government Support during RV and Camping Industry Awareness Day in Ottawa

April 28th – Modern Campground

The Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) and RVDA of Canada were on Parliament Hill last week (April 28) to shed light on industry issues that require attention from the federal government.

RVDA of Canada Board Chair Josée Bédard, CCRVC President Robert Trask, and MP Francesco Sorbara were present last Thursday to represent the Canadian Camping and RV sector.

At the news conference, Bédard urged the federal government to provide more targeted support to ensure the industry’s recovery from the pandemic.

“Now that border restrictions have been eased, travel and tourism are slowly starting to pick up. We need to focus on ensuring that all businesses can begin to thrive again,” Bédard said. “The federal government needs to focus on providing targeted recovery support to ensure there’s a growth for key sectors such as the RV rental industry and the Canadian camping sector.”

She added that shortage of skilled workers remains a key concern for the RV industry. She also mentioned the need for investment in infrastructure in national parks and addressing supply chain issues.

For the camping sector, CCRVC continued to call for a fair tax regime for small family-owned campgrounds in Canada.

“We need a clear and concise definition which would make small family-owned campgrounds eligible for the small business tax deduction,” CCRVC President Robert Trask said.

A small campground with less than five employees year-round is currently classified as a Specified Investment Business in the Income Tax Act which carries a nearly 50% income tax rate unless that business can prove that they are an active business.

“Being a seasonal business with most unable to open year-round, the rule is extremely unfair and needs to be updated,” Trask added.

He goes on to say that the denial of the small business tax deduction continues to cause campgrounds to shy away from investing in infrastructure, upgrades, hiring more employees, and even leading some owners to sell their property at a time when the industry “desperately needs campgrounds and campsites than ever before.”

Occurring annually, the effort is part of CCRVC’s RV and Camping Awareness Day where the association’s board members gather in Ottawa to attend board meetings and strategy sessions for the betterment of the industry.

“CCRVC’s RV and Camping Awareness Day capped off a very productive week of board meetings and strategic discussions. The opportunity to meet annually with Federal Government policymakers is our opportunity to communicate our industry’s challenges with officials and has proved over the years to be a key occasion to keep the lines of communication open that we can take advantage of throughout the year,” CCRVC Executive Director Shane Devenish told Modern Campground in an email.

The Canadian Camping and RV Council—serving as the national advocacy voice of Canadian campgrounds—represents the interests of private campground owners across the country for the betterment and support of the camping and RV industry.

Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada is a professional trade association representing businesses in the RV industry. Advocacy, professional development, and industry initiatives are developed by members, for members and delivered on their behalf by the RVDA.

The camping and RV industry employs 67,200 Canadians and creates over CA$3.4 billion in tourism and spending and CA$6.2 billion in the economy of Canada.