Each year, the RVDA of Canada, in conjunction with RV Lifestyle Magazine and Dealer News, invites nominations from across Canada for the Canadian RV Dealer of the Year Award. The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Walt Paseska, founder of Walt's Trailer Sales in Headingley, Manitoba, in recognition of his many years of commitment and dedication to the RV industry. Since its establishment in 1989 by Camping Canada Magazine, this award has been presented to individuals who share Walt's enthusiasm and commitment, in recognition of their long-term contribution to the RV lifestyle, and commitment to the community. 

The award is presented to a candidate who has:

• Demonstrated long-term dedication to the RV industry and promotion of the RV lifestyle by the acting dealer principal of a recognized full-service RV dealership
• Shown commitment and participation in the RVDA at the provincial or national level
• Been recognized by customers and peers as a person with the highest integrity and credibility in both work and personal life, and
• Made a contribution to their community.

Voyager RV Centre first opened in 1984, when Rodney Friesen, Jason’s father, started the business with a few consignment trailers. Today, the dealership boasts a two-story office building, a parts store, and an impressive display of over 350 RVs across its vast 12-acre property. Additionally, the dealership accommodates three service and detail shops, equipped with a total of twenty-five RV service bays. And while Rod is still the owner, it is his son, Jason Friesen, who has taken over the reigns of the dealership’s daily operations for the family business. Since 2004, Jason has worked at the dealership full-time ensuring that their customers receive the utmost care and that the cherished Voyager RV Culture remains intact.

As Vice president, Jason is still involved in many aspects of the dealership’s daily operations. His responsibilities encompass new RV inventory ordering, oversight of the majority of marketing efforts, assistance in trade appraisals, and direct collaboration with department managers to facilitate their growth and improvement. Jason serves as the driving force behind the dealership's ongoing commitment to anticipate evolving consumer needs. He ensures that all staff members share a steadfast dedication to delivering unparalleled customer experiences.

Jason and Voyager RV have always been supportive of the industry’s associations. Voyager RV has had its General Managers sit on the Board of the RVDA of British Columbia for 23 years, working to help grow the RV industry in British Columbia. Their current General Manager also sat on the VSA (Vehicle Sales Authority of BC) as a director for several years and is now a director on the RVDA of Canada board. Jason himself is the RV Sector Chair for the Okanagan College Trades Training Complex development, helping spearhead fundraising to help with the 30-million-dollar expansion renovation of the Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC, which houses the long-standing RV Service Technician Training program in the province.

Under Jason’s leadership in 2019, the dealership started a structured charitable donation program called VOYAGER CARES. This is a charitable donation initiative to truly thank their community for all their years of supporting the business. Employees actively participate by voting on their top seven local BC-based charitable organizations. These organizations are then designated as the "Voyager Cares Feature Charity" for specific months. At the end of the campaign, Voyager RV donates $105 dollars for each RV sale. They donated over $100,000 through the Voyager Cares initiative by the end of September 2020, and they have now embarked on phase two of the Voyager Cares initiative, with plans to contribute another $100,000 to local charities in 2023.

In addition to at least 20 different community charities, the Friesen Family has also donated $150,000 to the Okanagan College's 'Our Students, Your Health' campaign, as well as matching ALL Donations up to $500,000 that came in during the Kelowna General Hospital's 'Every Moment Matters' campaign advancing Stroke care for BC Interior residents.

Along with our winner, the nominees for this year’s Award were:

Congratulations to Jason and to all nominees, who have made outstanding contributions to the RV industry!