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

  • Southern Gulf Islanders Call for Urgent Action on Waterfront Issues

    Ganges, British Columbia – August 1st , 2024 – Today, Southern Gulf Islanders for Collaborative Partnerships and Reconciliation (SGIR) called on the BC Government to take urgent action on waterfront issues in the Southern Gulf Islands. SGIR is an informal group involving 800 waterfront owners in the Southern Gulf Islands. Here is the link of…

  • Waterfront Protection Coalition meets with Premier Eby and Minister Cullen on the DMP

    After months of advocacy, the WPC met with Premier David Eby and Minister Nathan Cullen today, to voice the concerns of our coalition members regarding the Dock Management Plan. We discussed the fundamental issues and outlined a transparent process that we view as the best path forward. For details, see the WPC news release.

  • Updates to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan

    Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, together with shishalh Nation, announced today proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan: “Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts about the proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan. Your feedback has been invaluable as we continue to work together with shishalh Nation to…

  • Updates to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan

    Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, together with shishalh Nation, announced today proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan: “Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts about the proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan. Your feedback has been invaluable as we continue to work together with shishalh Nation to…

Boating News

  • Boating on Lake Okanagan

    The 2023 edition of the Sun Cruiser which is an excellent guide to boating on the lake.  Unfortunately, after publishing for many years, there are no new issues planned.  Hopefully this answers any questions people might have regarding places to moor on the Lake. See more details on the Resources page. Thanks to Michael Newcombe for…

  • BC Parks marine user research – survey

    BC Parks wants to speak with people who go boating on B.C.’s coastal waters and who visit marine parks: “Hearing about a variety of experiences on the B.C. coast will help us make BC Parks marine services, such as policies and digital tools, better for a broad range of park visitors.  The Marine visitor research recruitment survey…

  • Iconic Area On BC’s Central Coast Now Protected Forever

    A historically important and ecologically rich area about 100 kilometres north of Vancouver Island on the BC coast is now protected in perpetuity, thanks to a generous donation from the Tula Foundation’s Eric Peterson and Christina Munck. 55 acres on Calvert Island has been transferred to the BC Parks Foundation with the intention that it will become part…

  • Safe Boat Havens

    Early in the 1990’s, the Council of B.C. Yacht Clubs, through its members, embarked upon the task of formulating a catalogue of safe anchorages throughout the coast of British Columbia Intended for the specific use of small vessels where there would be reasonable confidence of secure anchoring on arrival and a peaceful night. This catalogue…

Council News

 

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, September 19, 2026 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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