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

  • Feedback opportunity on Dock Management Plan for the southern Gulf Islands

    The Province is seeking feedback on a draft Strategic Management Plan for private marine docks in the southern Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island.

  • 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…

  • Survey on Islands Trust Draft Policy Statement – Deadline February 2, 2026

    The Islands Trust is a unique, province‑created local government whose core mandate is to preserve and protect the environment and rural character of the Gulf Islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea. On July 29, 2025, Islands Trust Council (ITC) gave first reading to the Islands Trust draft Policy Statement. The multi-year process to…

  • Islands Trust 2024/25 Annual Report is now available

    The Islands Trust 2024/25 Annual Report is now available online. Each year, this report provides a snapshot of Islands Trust work in the Islands Trust Area. Inside, you’ll find highlights of projects and initiatives from the past year and details about progress on Islands Trust Council’s strategic goals. You are invited to read the report and learn…

Boating News

  • “Underwater Sound” – Presentation by Tom Dakin

    Tom Dakin, Ph.D., the Chief Scientist for Sea to Shore Systems Ltd., gave an excellent presentation at the last Council meeting on underwater sound, explaining how marine animals use sound for communication, navigation, finding food, and other vital functions, and how human-made noise impacts marine life. Marine animals use sound for communication, navigation, finding food,…

  • Whale-Safe Boating Course is available online

     Calling all boaters in coastal BC—whether you paddle, sail, or motor, it’s time to make the water safer for everyone, including marine mammals. As someone who signed up for our Alert List, we are letting you know FIRST. The Whale-Safe Boating Course is NOW available! Launched today, this free online course gives recreational boaters the knowledge…

  • BC Coastal Marine Strategy – Implementation Planning Update

    The B.C. Coastal Marine Strategy establishes the province’s first shared vision for the B.C. coast. The presentation below gives an update on the implementation planning, as presented at a meeting on June 5, 2025.

  • Southern Resident Killer Whales management measures

    The SRKW management measures to protect our ORCAs are in place again since June 1st. The vessel based measures complement existing annual management measures in place to address key threats to Southern Resident Killer whales and maps with more detailed descriptions of each area and measures can be found on the Southern Resident killer whale…

Council News

  • “Underwater Sound” – Presentation by Tom Dakin

    Tom Dakin, Ph.D., the Chief Scientist for Sea to Shore Systems Ltd., gave an excellent presentation at the last Council meeting on underwater sound, explaining how marine animals use sound for communication, navigation, finding food, and other vital functions, and how human-made noise impacts marine life. Marine animals use sound for communication, navigation, finding food,…

  • Newsletters posted

    The June 2025 Newsletters written by Phil Aldrich (Region 1) and John Green (Region 3)have been posted in the members-only section under “Newsletters”. Enjoy!

  • CBCYC meeting on May 31, 2025 – minutes and attachments are posted

    The minutes and attachments of our meeting on May 31, 2025 at the Nanaimo Yacht Club and via Zoom are posted in the members-only section of the website.

  • Park Host Standing Committee minutes

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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