
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
- Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan
- Amendments to the Land Act
- Ladysmith Maritime Society
- Rejuvenation of the Council
Search for news on these topics here:

Projects
The Council is working and supporting a variety of projects
- Park Host
- Water Use Licence Applications
- Transport Canada
- Navigable Waters Act
- Sewage Regulations
- Canada Shipping Act
- Canadian Hydrographic Services

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
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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 […]
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BC and Coastal First Nations (CFN) announce bilateral Accord
Lori Halls, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship announced today: British Columbia and the Coastal […]
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Updates to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan Announced
The BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship provided an update to the Dock Management Plan via email: To […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
Boating News
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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 […]
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Volunteers spearhead ghost fishing gear clean-up in Pender Harbour
On Tuesday March 19 and Wednesday March 20, the Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association (PHARA) in conjunction with SeaWolf […]
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Canadian Navigable Waters Act legislative review
Transport Canada is asking for feedback from recreational boaters along with the shipping industry on the reworked federal Navigable Waters […]
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Proposed National Marine Conservation Area Reserve on the Central Coast (NMCAR)
The government of Canada, through Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the province of British Columbia, and the Nations […]
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Salish Sea Symposium
The 2024 Salish Sea Symposium (January 23-24, 2024) is organized by Transport Canada as an event held under the Oceans […]
Council News
Council Meetings
Our next meeting is on
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00
at the Nanaimo Yacht Club and via Zoom
Our meeting schedule for 2025 is
February 15, 2025 online via Zoom
May 31, 2025 Nanaimo Yacht Club and via Zoom
September 13, 2025 online via Zoom
November 29, 2025 location tbc and via Zoom