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

  • “What we’ve heard” report

    The Province published today the summary of the comments that they received from 1700 pieces of correspondence with a commitment to incorporate some of our thinking in future iterations of the DMP.

  • BC Lands Act Amendments paused

    The BC government has decided not to proceed with their proposed Land Act amendments for this legislative session. This topic can, however, be revisited after this year’s election. See the Province’s press release here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024WLRS0009-000236  

  • Amendments to the BC Land Act

    The Council of BC Yacht Clubs is concerned about how amendments of the British Columbia  Land Act by inclusion of Sec 7.1 of UNDRIP  will impact 15,000 recreational boaters ((see:  https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/land-act-amendments/).  The Council has therefore sent letters to provincial ministers, MLA’s and some publications to raise our concerns, attached below, which describe our concerns in…

  • Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan – Council actions

    CBCYC has recently become aware of the initiative to amend the Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan (the “Plan”).  CBCYC has several concerns about the proposed amendments to the Plan and their impact on member organizations with facilities in Pender Harbour.  Furthermore, we understand that the proposed regulations build off regulations from other jurisdictions (e.g. Burrard…

Boating News

  • March 2026 Newsletter

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

  • A Tribute to Peter Stockdill

    Sad news: Dr. Peter Stockdill, a major force in fighting for the rights of recreational boaters, passed away suddenly on January 27th, 2026.  Peter was a consummate sailor, environmentalist, researcher, letter-writer, lobbyist, enthusiastic serial meeting attendee, ham radio operator, effective emissary, and source of wisdom and history. Most important, he was simply a very nice…

  • Revisions to the Pleasure Craft Licence regulations

    Transport Canada has issued revisions to the Pleasure Craft Licence regulations, effective December 31, 2025, see the attached summary. The licence expiry date can be checked at  https://www.pcl-pep.snbservices.ca/1001/PubWeb/CheckLicenseExpiryDate.aspx?lang=en-CA.

  • Fundraising for Desolation Sound – Prideaux Haven property successful

    The BC Parks Foundation announced that the fundraising of $1.25 million to protect 100 acres of coastal forest and nearly one kilometre of untouched shoreline in Prideaux Haven was successful. The Marine Parks Forever Society contributed $ 100,000 to this effort. With the Wilson 5 Foundation’s matching gift, the $2.5 million to purchase the property…

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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