BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Council of
BC YaCHT CLUBS

Advocating for Recreational Boaters

About the Council of BC Yacht Clubs

In January 1956, the first meeting of interested boating clubs was held in Nanaimo. It was then formally registered as British Columbia Non Profit Society in January 1980 representing the interests of boaters from more than 50 British Columbia boating organizations. We have representation on Provincial and Federal committees to provide and receive information pertinent to our recreational interests, and collaborate with like-minded outdoor organizations in BC and Washington State.  In 1990, at the request of BC Parks, we formed B.C. Marine Parks Forever Society to assist in funding land purchases to be added to the Marine Park System. We meet four times per year, alternating between the mainland and Vancouver Island.

Current Council Activities

Top Priorities

  • Gambier Island Official Community Plan
  • Southern Gulf Islands – Southeast Vancouver Island Advisory Group
  • Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan
  • Amendments to the Land Act

Search for news on these topics here:

Projects

The Council is working and supporting a variety of projects

… and more

Marine Parks Forever Society

The Marine Parks Forever Society is an all-volunteer registered non-profit founded by the Council of BC Yacht Clubs in 1990

We advocate for and financially support the creation, expansion or enhancement of BC Marine Parks.

We also execute special projects for boaters like the popular “stern-tie program”.

 

Recent Developments

  • Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities

    The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC published the Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities describing tools for recreation organizations embarking on discussions andrelationship building with First Nations at the community level.

  • Sunshine Coast Dock Licences are Here

    By the Waterfront Protection Coalition – July 29, 2025 The Province has issued a Ministerial Order launching a new fast-tracked process for eligible grandfathered private moorage docks. Roughly 220 dock licence offers have been issued this week so check your email. Only dock owners who’ve self-registered their dock are eligible to receive a fast-track offer of a twenty-year…

  • PHARA challenges BC Reconciliation Law

    A petition has been filed by the Pender Harbour Area Residents Association (PHARA) in BC Supreme Court, challenging the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). For details see https://phara.ca/phara-challenges-bc-reconciliation-law/

  • Upcoming information sessions: shíshálh Nation – British Columbia Foundation Agreement and shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan

    shíshálh Nation and the Province recently renewed the 2018 Foundation Agreement. Join B.C. representatives for a virtual information session to find out more about the agreement. Dates: March 20 and 31, 2025 Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Format: Zoom video conference Representatives from the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the Ministry of…

Boating News

  • October 2026 Newsletter

    The October 2026 Newsletter written by Phil Aldrich is available! It has news and updates about … Enjoy!

  • Comox Valley Yacht Club ends Park Host stewardship for Sandy Island

    The Comox Valley Yacht Club is ending its involvement with the marine park at Sandy Island at the North end of Denman Island, and will no longer be responsible for the mooring or other infrastructure there. End of an era – the club has done a great job of stewardship over many years. See below…

  • September 2026 Newsletter

    The September 2026 Newsletter written by Phil Aldrich is available! It has news and updates about … Enjoy!

  • Change of Princess Louisa Dock closure dates

    The Princess Louisa International Society has just been notified by B.C. Parks that Blue Water Systems will not will not be onsite and starting on the Pier, Ramp and Dock repairs/replacement until June 4-5th, with completion hoped for by June 10th. Access to the park via the dock may be limited or unavailable during this…

Council News

  • October 2026 Newsletter

    The October 2026 Newsletter written by Phil Aldrich is available! It has news and updates about … Enjoy!

  • September 2026 Newsletter

    The September 2026 Newsletter written by Phil Aldrich is available! It has news and updates about … Enjoy!

  • Council letter to WLRS Ministry regarding concerns on proposed land use objectives for Gambier Island

    A new initiative by Water Lands and Resource Stewardship and the Squamish First Nation proposes Sea to Sky land use objectives for numerous areas in our region, including Gambier Island. In that proposal there are significant restrictions on public access and use of a large tract of Gambier’s public land, ostensibly for the protection of…

  • Provincial Budget 2027 Consultation – Presentation to the Financial Committee

    Jim Phillips and Roger Hind attended the Parliamentary budget  briefing in Victoria on June 1, 2026 on behalf of the Council and MPFS, see also our email dated March 30, 2026.  Roger presented  the abridged briefing to the committee (one speaker with  time constrained to a 5 min presentation). Jenifer Jennings and Alison Meredith had  created  the briefs and…

Yacht Club Job Postings

Let us know if your Yacht Club has open positions – we are happy to post them here.

Council Meetings

Our next meeting is on 

Saturday, November 21, 2026/11:00 at the
West Vancouver Yacht club and via Zoom

Our meeting schedule for 2026 is

February  28, 2026          online via Zoom
May 16, 2026                   Nanaimo Yacht Club and via Zoom
September 19, 2026       online via Zoom
November 21, 2026        West Vancouver Yacht Club and via Zoom

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