No changes for RV dwellers in Nanaimo as housing strategy is developed

Go RVing Canada showcased its Dealer Tie-In Marketing Program at the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show. The program offers dealers ready-to-use creative assets and digital ad support to align local marketing with national campaigns. The presentation took place on February 27 at the Exhibitor Breakfast supporting the RV Women’s Alliance.

Canadian company Wilderness Vans completed a six-year project to transform a 2006 Ford E-350 van into a self-sufficient off-road camper. The conversion added a full-time 4WD system, Fox suspension, solar panels, and a functional interior with a kitchen and sleeping area. The project shows the extensive modernization potential of older commercial vehicles.

The government of British Columbia is raising camping fees for the first time in a decade due to high visitation and operational costs. The increase, averaging $13.29 per night in summer, will apply to 59 high-demand frontcountry parks. A new $20 flat fee for campers from outside the province will take effect on May 15.

The Canadian travel trailer market is growing but remains almost entirely supplied by the US. Chinese manufacturers, having established a strong presence in Australia, see an opportunity for exports to Canada. A growing base of younger buyers seeking affordable options and new trade policy shifts create favorable conditions.

A public hearing on amendments to the zoning bylaw for electoral area B in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is scheduled for February 4. The proposed changes aim to add new regulations for recreational vehicles and campgrounds, including seasonal occupancy restrictions from October 16 to April 14 and clarified setback requirements from property lines and watercourses.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is pursuing Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) for RVs on private property as a stopgap measure to address affordable housing challenges. The application fee is set at $800, and the permits would allow for health and safety conditions to be verified and monitored. One director dissented, citing concerns about zoning and impacts on neighboring properties.