Canadian RVers Given Government Buzz-Off
Some of Canada’s RV community complain their civil--and RV--liberties are being curtailed by government intervention. New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister, Donald Arsenault, says that in at least one area, RVers are just too encroaching. Claiming RVers leave behind trash, human waste, and even, "old rusted oil tanks," at a popular river area near Bathurst, his agency has posted a sign equivalent to ‘RVers Get Lost.’
Arsenault says his agency has received complaints from other recreationists who say RVers park their rigs for weeks at a time, blocking access to river frontage. While posted signs warn off RVers, tent camping is still allowed. Area RVers who have frequented the provincial woods are in a lather. "We park there," says Rosemarie Doucet, a trailer-owning nature lover, "we go hunting and we go fishing, and at night we all sit around the fire with a guitar and people sing--we have a lot of fun."
Unless the provincial authorities can be moved, it appears the songs will be curtailed. For more information, see a news story posted on CBC.
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
2/05/2007 10:27:00 AM
12 Comments:
Hi,
As an RVer who has been both a full summer resident in parks as well as an one who is on the road for a couple of months a year, it disappoints me to see this type of reaction. Instead of seeing an opporunity to create a location for RVers who want a seasonal spot and generating some revenue for the province to maintain, patrol and expand the facility, we see the usual Ministerial platitudes about the extreme scenarios portrayed as the norm. And if any of it is true, the RVers didn't help their own cause in this regard. As RVing becomes more popular and a greater percentage of the population starts requesting facilities, let's hope we have some individuals in authority with an IQ higher than the new energy efficient bulbs finding opportunities to expand the industry (tourism is one the biggest industries in this little province that has very little else to offer) instead of crushing it. Being a new western Canadian who moved from the east, I'm seeing such initiatives being put in place to encourage the industry, not turn away revenue that this province desperately needs.
By
Anonymous, at 9:55 AM, February 10, 2007
nice story, but why not identify the province, and area where all this is taking place. This would be helpful for the rest of us Canadian RV's who would like to avoid the area or the province altogether.
Wildcattraveller
By
Anonymous, at 10:17 AM, February 10, 2007
Hey
WHAT PROVINCE AND WHERE IS THIS AREA.
WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SO WE CAN AVOID THE AREA AND MAYBE EVEN THE PROVINCE
By
Anonymous, at 10:39 AM, February 10, 2007
On a trip to eastern Canada our unit was selected for an alcohol and tobacco search at the St. Stephen, NB port of entry. They asked where we kept our spirits and we pointed to a portable cooler sitting on the bed ( we were in a class B). There were 14- 750ml bottles in the cooler. This may sound like a lot of wine but considering we were going to be in Canada for at least four weeks it was less than 1/4 bottle per person per day. We knew this was well over the one liter per person that was allowed duty free and had no qualms about paying duty on our overage. The customs agent told us that we could leave the wine there and pick it up on our way back ( assuming we exited at the same crossing ) or or pay the tariff. I was asked how much the wine cost in the US. I said it was modestly priced wine from Costco and probably averaged around $7. a bottle. The agent thought that was reasonable, filled out a form and asked me to take it to the cashier. I was a bit shocked when she asked for $79.60. After paying, I suggested to the customs agent that this was a rather stiff duty on wine. The agent then explained that the duty was a small part of the assessment. She said that the Provence assesses a tax calculated on the difference between what the wine sold for in the US and what it would have sold for in N.B. (in government liquor stores of course). At this point my Scottish ancestry cut in and I determined that I would not spend one cent more than was necessary in that Provence. Perhaps I am being petty and should be more considerate of the poor economy in New Brunswick, but I can't bring myself to sympathize with an entity that sticks it to visitors it wants to attract. We rescheduled the four days we had alloted for touring NB and drove straight to Nova Scotia.
By
Anonymous, at 6:53 PM, February 10, 2007
attaboy!
they must not need our tourism dollar!
surely canadian wine isn't that expensive!?
I have CANCELLED my annual trek to Canada because of this type of thing, and GUNS!!!
By
Anonymous, at 9:06 PM, February 10, 2007
I have family in canada but will not go there with the dumb rulings, us does not throw canadians out or make it tough on them neil
By
Anonymous, at 3:43 AM, February 12, 2007
I'm thrilled to see that the U.S. doesn't make it hard on Cdn RVers but when was the last time you tried crossing into the US with any kind of meat. Beef, Chicken, Hot-Dogs, Spaghetti sauce: Please throw it into the garbage cans provided. When you ask where you can find info on this you are answered by a shrugging of the shoulders. At least if we were given the opportunity to pick it up on the way out. How about the requirement for passports to get into the US now. Great tourist incentive there too. Guns: You are right. We don't care for them, we don't want them, we don't need them. For your information, wine is that expensive north of the border. It goes to pay for our free Medicare.
We love our friends to the South and accept your rules and regulations because it is your right to establish them. This should not and will not prevent us from visiting you. We would expect the same courtesy in return. New Brunswick isn't the richest of Provinces. It may cost a few dollars more but that will be greatly offset by the welcome you will receive from its residents. Just in case you were wondering; I don't live in N.B.
By
Anonymous, at 4:48 PM, February 12, 2007
We Canadians have to play by the US rules/laws when we visit the USA that we don't like. Why can the Americans be more friendly and play nice with their Canadian Neighbor...
Open minded canadians
By
Anonymous, at 5:38 AM, February 13, 2007
To the second and third comment posters...
Please re-read the very first paragraph of this article where the info you seek is clearly stated. The second sentence names
the province (quote from New Brunswick gov't official) and one of the areas of contention within that province is stated near the end of this same, initial paragraph (Bathurst, NB).
Hope this helps to clear things up for you:-)
By
Anonymous, at 5:56 AM, February 24, 2007
To Neil regarding his comments of...
"...I have family in canada but will not go there with the dumb rulings,..."
Hmmmmmnnnnn....substitute US for Canada in your comments and you've pretty much stated how I (and many other Canadians that I know of) feel about the US, especially
since your so-called 'Homeland Security' dept now dictates the how, when and why anyone enters/leaves the US (more like Homeland INsecurity:-(
As to "...us does not throw canadians out or make it tough on them"...Wow, I guess you haven't REALLY spoken with very many non-US folk from around the world, eh?
Sorry Neil, but, what you say here is just not true. I truly wish it weren't, I do, 'cause I have many US relatives whom I'd really like to go visit but I can't. Plus, there are many areas of your country I'd love to explore but sadly, due to US "dumb rules" I have far too many negative personal experiences with the US, and I am not alone I'm afraid. I've even been denied entry for the 2 hours or so it would have taken to cross the border near my home and attend a family funeral of a beloved cousin who passed way before her time and return back home again. Why wasn't I allowed you might ask? Surely I must have a record of some kind, right? No, I've never committed a crime (oops, sorry, I stole a rubber ball when I was 8 years old but felt so darned guilty about it I returned it to the store within 1/2 an hour of doing so) No, I merely lack photo ID as I do not drive and so do not, nor have I ever, possessed a drivers' license. Regardless of how much other ID I have (in one encounter in 2002, I even had my newly-signed renewal mortgage papers on my person proving where I've lived since 1987!), ALL is hinged upon a mere picture, or lack of in my case. It's sad because ANY ID can be faked and so no ONE piece of ID should be the sole reason upon which to make a decision to deny or accept entry. In fact, the terrorists who flew those planes on 9-11 ALL had photo ID...tells you just how much photo ID alone is REALLY worth!
I could relate many more instances but I think what's been provided here is sufficient to refute what you've said.
By
Anonymous, at 6:41 AM, February 24, 2007
Hello. The original commentary did state New Brunswick. No one has accused the Minister of having any brains or common sense. Under the Previous government it appeared they went to great lengths to drive people away; tourists and locals alike. I live here (for a few more months only) and see government stupidity on a daily basis particularly in business.
Border crossings are difficult for us all. I visit US regularly and cannot believe foolishness I encounter. Last year I couldn't bring an apple into US (although I was eating it at the time). Had to pull over until it was consumed and then wrap the core in plastic and place it in a special container. The oranges I gave away although it was obvious they were grown in US. Try crossing the border on a greyhound bus sometime; you'll see POWER and stupidity vying for control.
By
Anonymous, at 8:55 AM, February 24, 2007
Hi,I think by this point we come to the conclusion that we have idiots in government positions on both sides of the border, so I don't think we should be making negatives about thee others country instead we should try to look at the great things there are in our neighbors country,As I spend about six months across the border in the U.S. for most of the time I really enjoy myself. And as long as I stay clear of politics/religion when there (which I believe is the way to conduct ones self when in someone elses country or home)I have the opportunity to learn how others live
By
Anonymous, at 5:26 PM, March 10, 2007
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