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

  • BC Marine Trails website

    The BC Marine Trails website Kayak Resources, BC coast, Kayak Map, Paddling Vancouver is a very interesting resource also for motorized recreational boaters. Here is what Karina Younk, the Board Chair of BC Marine Trails, says: Our BC Marine Trails website is geared toward non-motorized coastal recreation. However, we have heard from small boaters that…

  • Crowdfunding Campaign Protects Large Waterfront Property on Saturna Island – including a MPFS contribution

    by BC Parks Foundation February 3, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver, BC – Thanks to an extraordinary community effort, 372 acres of pristine waterfront on Saturna Island will now be protected forever. This rare property, nestled beside the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, boasts more than three kilometers of coastline, pockets of old-growth, and Garry Oak meadows—comprising…

  • Update from the Ladysmith Yacht Club

    Diane Charles, Commodore of the Ladysmith Yacht Club, is giving an update on what is happening with the Ladysmith Yacht Club. First, we have found a buyer for the clubhouse! Dave Messier from Maple Bay Marina has purchased the clubhouse and will be relocating it to that marina, where the building will be repurposed as…

  • Prideaux Haven – Follow ‘no anchoring’ buoys and signs to protect eelgrass beds

    https://bcparks.ca/desolation-sound-marine-park Desolation Sound Marine Park is home to eelgrass habitats that play a crucial role in supporting marine biodiversity. To further our understanding of biodiversity recovery in the region, we are monitoring eelgrass beds with valuable support from the Tla’amin, Klahoose, and Hamalco Nations, and the University of British Columbia. To study these vital habitats,…

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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