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

  • 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…

  • 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 Diving and the Ocean Legacy Foundation will be retrieving abandoned nets (also known as ghost gear) and other pollutants (batteries, plastic, etc) from the waters of kalpilin/Pender Harbour. This project was authorized by Fisheries and…

  • 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 Act. This is an opportunity to weigh in on restrictions to navigation, ‘unscheduled’ navigable waters and ‘minor works’ such as mooring buoy congestion. The feedback submission is open until May 5, 2024. https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/consultations/canadian-navigable-waters-act-legislative-review

  • 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 are collaboratively assessing the potential conservation benefits and socio-economic implications of establishing an NMCAR in the region. Engagement with each partnering First Nation’s elected and hereditary leadership, as well as broader community members is integral…

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 /10:00 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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