Despite Controversy, Nova Scotia Gets Plaudits

Since we published a post regarding a certain amount of "RV unfriendliness" in Nova Scotia, we've heard plenty from our readers. It's nice to know folks read us. Most recently Chuck Woodbury brought you up to speed on possible changes in provincial law that would begin to allow RVs to park in places other than designated campgrounds. We're hopeful that positive action will be taken to more fully open up this beautiful end of the world to RVers.

Not too long ago an American travel columnist published a post regarding little-known and affordable spots throughout the planet. One of them commented on: Cape Breton Island away up in Nova Scotia. A quick search of the island's amenities will find one of the Crown's jewels, Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Over the coast and highlands of this national treasure runs the Cabot trail, "a major, scenic highway, man..." as some would say. Just the photos have got this writer salivating. So don't write of NS quite yet. Maybe a word to the wise men of Nova Scotia tourism might do a trick.

Nova Scotia may lift ban of Wal-mart RV parking

It's now illegal in Nova Scotia to stay overnight in an RV in any place not designed a licensed campground which includes shopping malls and Wal-Marts. But that may change as the province considers doing away with the restriction. The Tourist Accommodation Act currently prohibits people from using, maintaining, operating or managing a campground for the use of any overnight parking of RVs unless they have a license. According to the Halifax Chronicle Herald, it appears the provincial government has concluded that licensing all tourism operators in the province isn't worth the political headache it causes. Besides restricting camping to official campgrounds, the present law forbids a resident from renting out the family cottage for extra income. The bill repealing the act isn't expected to be discussed in the legislature until spring.

BC RV Parks Decline in Number

Rising land values in British Columbia are proving too tasty to pass up. According to a story in the Vancouver Sun, RV park owners are selling out at a fast clip, reducing the number of RV parks and RV sites at an equally fast pace.

Chris Bower, general manager of Nk'Mip Campground and RV Park, Osoyoos and president of the B.C. Lodging and Campgrounds Association [BCLCA], who said in an interview with the Sun in November, that 74 parks representing 4,687 campsites have closed or changed use in the past three years. "We've lost 10 per cent," said Bower.

"As an example, in Osoyoos we used to have 1,200 campsites. Now we've got 640. And this is all over B.C., especially in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan."

The campground association official said he's a bit frightened by the whole thing. He says he already sees that RVers are finding 'room at the inn,' a problem. "Our RV park numbers are way up," Bower said of his campground in Osoyoos. "But that's not good for the long term. You need enough competition within the industry to make it viable.

"A lot of this is because of the value of the land. They [campsite owners] have an opportunity to make $1 million to $2 million up front, rather than work for 10 to 15 years for it."

Provincial officials are stirred up about the problem, too. Already the minister of tourism has formed a joint investigative committee from both the government and business sector. For those who love traveling BC, let's hope the committee works faster than some in the lower 48. For the full story, visit the Vancouver Sun article.