Canadian RV Industry Urges Government to Address Critical Infrastructure and Cross-Border Needs

OTTAWA, April 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Representatives from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada are on Parliament Hill today to urge the federal government to address critical infrastructure and cross-border needs for the industry.

Both RVing and camping continue to play vital roles in Canada's tourism sector.  There is a crucial need for this to be recognized by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) as a viable growth area for tourism in Canada.

"The recreation vehicle industry is a growth industry, with some 14% of Canadian households owning an RV," said Ian Moore, RVDA of Canada Chairman of the Board.  "Dedicated investment in tourism policies to support the RV and campground industries is urgently needed.  We encourage the CTC to include particular messaging to target markets where RV rentals are being offered in Canada."

The RVDA of Canada also recommends that the government provide targeted and dedicated investment in RV and camping infrastructure in Canada's National Parks.  There are over 3,000 independently owned and operated campgrounds across Canada, each offering a unique experience for Canadians and visitors to Canada. However, as campground services continue to rise in demand, critical infrastructure needs remain unfunded.   "Investing in RV and camping infrastructure will play a critical role in the overall contributions of the tourism industry to future economic development and prosperity," said Moore.

The Canadian RV industry also faces a number of cross border challenges.   First, the Government's 2012 Federal Budget increased the value of goods travelers to the United States are able to bring back to Canada tax and duty free. "As we already have to compete with lower U.S. RV dealership prices, this has serious implications for the competitiveness of the Canadian RV industry," said Moore.  "Many popular aftermarket parts now fall within the new exemption level, giving customers a powerful reason to take their business to the U.S."

The RVDA of Canada is recommending that the Government lower the duties Canadian RV retailers pay on imported goods. Currently duties range between seven and 18 percent.  The RVDA of Canada would like to see duties on aftermarket RV parts and add-ons be reduced to zero.

Second, in addition to competitiveness issues, there are also safety concerns with used RV's purchased across the border. Many imported used RVs are not compliant with national and provincial regulations regarding items such as propane tanks and electrical systems.

"This really comes down to consumer safety," said Moore.  "In order to ensure the safe operation and use of all RVs across Canada, country-wide certification, on an equal level playing field, must be implemented for all used imports for consumers, as well as retailers."

The RVDA of Canada recently released a groundbreaking study, showcasing that the industry contributes $14.5 billion to the Canadian economy.

"This is a significant finding, demonstrating that not only is RVing in Canada an exceptional way to travel, but it also has a considerable impact on the Canadian economy," concluded Moore.  "We look forward to continuing to work with government and key stakeholders to ensure that proactive roles are being taken to develop policies that support all travel and tourism, and recognize RVing as a prosperous tourism activity."

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada is a national, volunteer federation of provincial and regional RVDA associations and their members, who have united to form a professional trade association for all businesses involved in the recreation vehicle industry.

SOURCE: Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada

Alana Baker
Cell: 613.299.4017
Office: 613.233.8906
[email protected]

Eleonore Hamm
President, RVDA of Canada
Office: 604.718.6325 
[email protected]