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Dogwood Express Newsletter
May 10, 2024: Issue 68
In This Issue:
 
  • Association News Bytes May 2024
  • EV Charging Opportunities and Infrastructure Challenges for Campgrounds Webinar Summary
  • Merchant Interchange and Assessment Fees
  • Should GST be Charged on the Resale of Hydro
  • Go RV Rentals Releases 2024 RV Rental Price Index
ASSOCIATION NEWS BYTES MAY 2024
 
Check out BCLCA's schedule of events and activities. Stay up-to-date with industry happenings and participate in the webinars and forums.
Announcements

  • The BCLCA board has increased dues for the next membership year by 5% to offset rising inflationary costs to operate the Association. Membership payments can be made by EFT, cheque or you may pay with a Visa/MasterCard. Invoices will be sent in June.
  • The Association is implementing a new 2.4% surcharge for Credit Card payments to offset our processing costs from June 1st.
  • BCLCA Auction to raise funds for Care Camps of Canada is open until May 20th. The Care Camps Foundation, founded by campground owners, helps kids with cancer get to experience the healing power of the outdoors by sending them to specialized oncology camps. Bids can be made by visiting the Auction website until May 20th.

Advocacy Calendar

  • June 6 – 8, 2024 – Joss Penny, Executive Director is attending the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention in Calgary with other Canadian Camping and RVing Association members to promote the value of camping and address zoning definitions.

Marketing Opportunities


Education Services

EV CHARGING OPPORTUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES FOR CAMPGROUNDS WEBINAR SUMMARY

Zhongyi Quan the co-founder of Swift Charge Inc. hosted a webinar for BCLCA members on the growing trend of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, particularly on how it applied to recreational areas like campgrounds.

Zhongyi discussed the emerging trend of people traveling long distances in electric vehicles (EVs) for camping and other leisure activities. He highlighted the growing demand for EV charging stations at campgrounds and other hospitality locations, noting that this presents a new revenue opportunity.

Zhongyi also introduced the concept of electrical RVs with large battery sizes, which will require dedicated chargers and cannot be charged using regular power sources found in campgrounds. He emphasized that this creates a need for more EV chargers at campgrounds and other locations frequented by EV and RV enthusiasts.

Zhongyi proposed the conversion of 10-20% of campsites into electric charging stations over the coming years and outlined the program Swift Charge is offering for a flexible buying option and a solution to simplify the process for campground and lodging owners.

To watch the recording on the webinar please visit:

Passcode: N1zS0N.W

To contact Zhongyi Quan for more information about the Swift Charge chargers and their no cost revenue sharing option to install, please email zhongyi@swiftcharge.io
MERCHANT INTERCHANGE AND ASSESSMENT FEES

Both MasterCard and Visa publish the interchange rates for various card types accepted. The rates vary based on the card presented. Other factors that affect the rates are type of card i.e. domestic or international, commercial or prepaid cards.

As a merchant you need to speak to your acquirer or card acceptance provider (i.e. Moneris, Global Payments, First Data, etc.) as they will have other fees in their card acceptance agreements.

Acquirer Role: Financial institutions that provide card acceptance services to merchants are typically referred to as “acquirers.” Mastercard and Visa have no involvement in acquirer and merchant pricing policies or agreements. Interchange fees are one component of the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) established by acquirers, which is paid by merchants to acquirers in consideration for card acceptance services.

Interchange Rates

For more information and the rate tables visit:

Merchant Credit Card Surcharge

Since October 6, 2022, businesses in Canada are permitted to pass along interchange fees they pay to settle credit cards with Visa and MasterCard. These are the fees you are charged to process merchant credit card transactions.

Businesses are permitted to recoup this lost interchange revenue by surcharging customers up to 2.4% on credit card transactions.

Several BCLCA members have informed the office that they have implemented the 2.4% surcharge to customers and received little negative push back.

However, their advice is to be sure to educate your customers and be clear that the surcharge is only for credit card transactions, and that customers can avoid the additional fee by using debit or cash.

To learn the steps involved in adding the surcharge please visit the Financial Consumer Agency page at https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/merchants/credit-fees-merchant.html

Credit Card Services

BCLCA has an endorsed merchant credit card program with First Data / Fiserv who offer a range of credit and debit card solutions – for a quote contact Paresh Karkhanis at 647-492-8895 or email Paresh.Karkhanis@fiserv.com
SHOULD GST BE CHARGED ON THE RESALE OF HYDRO

The Association was recently asked by a member, "should GST be charged on the reselling of hydro to a camper?"

Answer:

The supply of land (other than a site in a residential trailer park) made, under a lease, licence or similar arrangement which provides for continuous possession or use of the land for a period of at least one month is an exempt supply under subparagraph 7(a)(i) of Part I of Schedule V to the Excise Tax Act, where the residential unit is for use and enjoyment for more than a month as a place of residence for individuals.

For a campground, given that the RVs are not permanently affixed to the campsites or used for a residential purpose, the above-mentioned exemption does not apply to the lease of the campsite even if it is for a period of one month or longer. Therefore, the lease of campsites is subject to GST no matter the length of stay.

Caveat: If a particular RV has been modified and affixed to the campsite on a permanent basis (similar to a house), it is recommended to review the taxability on a case-by-case basis.

Because the electricity was billed to the Campground and subsequently re-supplied to and reimbursed by the RV customers, the hydro charge is subject to GST in the same way as the basic rent. Accordingly, the Campground should collect and remit the GST on the hydro charges. The Campground may also claim an ITC for the GST paid on the hydro bills.

Disclaimer: The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association makes no representations or warranties regarding the use of this information and encourages members to obtain independent legal or accounting advice regarding whether this information satisfies their own personal or business needs.
GO RV RENTALS RELEASES 2024 RV RENTAL PRICE INDEX

Go RV Rentals has released its 2024 RV Rental Price Index, detailing current rental costs across the U.S. and Canada. The report indicates that the average base cost of renting an RV remains steady at $183 per day in the U.S. and CA$192 in Canada, mirroring prices from the previous year.

“We’re pleased to see U.S. daily rates coming in flat year-over-year, making two years in a row of steady prices. We added four Canadian locations to our oft-referenced RV Rental Price Index this year. Canada represents a growing market for us. Advance bookings year-to-date have proved that RV adventures continue to be a very popular budget-friendly vacation choice for travelers,” Go RV Rentals Founder and CEO David Kosofsky said in a press release.
BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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