Dogwood Express Newsletter
December 8, 2023: Issue 58
In This Issue:
 
  • Are Campgrounds and RV Parks Exempt from New Rules for Short-term Rentals Accommodation Act
  • Statutory Time Limit for Employees to make a Workers Compensation Claim
  • Parks Canada 2024 Reservations Start in January with Rates Set to Increase by 4.1%
  • Apply for Tourism Growth Program - Funding up to $250,000
  • Speculation and Vacant Tax Expansion Announced
  • BCLCA Welcomes New Members
ARE CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS EXEMPT FROM NEW RULES FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS ACCOMMODATION ACT

This is a question BCLCA asked the Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and we received the following reply from the Housing Policy Branch.

The Short-term Rental Accommodations Act (the Act) will not apply to hotels and motels, as these types of buildings were never intended as long-term housing. The principal residence requirement was designed to make sure that many accommodation buildings and operations that have operated in communities for a long period of time can continue to provide stays for visitors – including tourism driven communities.

The forthcoming regulations are expected to exempt the application of the Act from vehicles, including recreational vehicles, as well as tents or other temporary shelter such as yurts.

Information on the Short-term Rental Accommodations Act may be found here:

For additional questions about BC’s new short-term rental legislation, please contact Service BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home/get-help-with-government-services
STATUTORY TIME LIMIT FOR EMPLOYEES TO MAKE A WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM

At the Ideas Forum a question was asked about the statutory time limit for an employee or former employee with a mental health claim to file a claim with WorkSafe BC.

In general, an employee must apply to WorkSafeBC for workers’ compensation within one year of:

  • The date of a physical injury, or in the case of a series of injuries, the date of the last injury in the series,
  • The date they were disabled from work due to an occupational disease, or,
  • The date they first experienced a psychological change after they were exposed to a traumatic event or significant stressor in the course of their work.

If an employee does not file for compensation within one year of the date of their injury, disablement from occupational disease or psychological change, WorkSafeBC might deny the claim as their application is late.

However, WorkSafeBC may still accept a claim for compensation after more than one year if there were special circumstances that prevented an employee from applying within the one-year period. One such circumstance could be mental or psychological health.

Part 4, Section 151, 152 of the Workers Compensation Act addresses mental disorders as well as time limits for filing claims. Here is a link to that section.

PARKS CANADA 2024 RESERVATIONS START IN JANUARY WITH RATES SET TO INCREASE BY 4.1%

Parks Canada has announced early commencement for its 2024 camping reservations. Next year, the booking window opens in January, a notable shift from the previous March opening schedule.

Starting January 19, 2024, campers will have the opportunity to secure their spots at various Park Canada locations in British Columbia This extended booking period is expected to alleviate the rush and challenges associated with shorter reservation windows.

It is also being reported by the Daily Hive that visitors planning trips to Canada’s national parks in 2024 should prepare for an increase in fees, a move that reflects adjustments in line with inflation.

The fee increase, set to take effect from January 1, 2024, is a result of changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Parks Canada has a policy of adjusting fees every two years based on the CPI, so the upcoming increase is calculated at 4.1%, impacting various visitor fees including daily admission, camping reservations, and Discovery Pass prices.
APPLY FOR TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM - FUNDING UP TO $250,000

PacifiCan’s Tourism Growth Program (TGP) will provide up to $250,000 in funding to businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities to develop tourism products and experiences that create lasting prosperity in BC communities.
 
Eligible businesses can apply for interest-free repayable funding of up to $250,000 to support the growth of tourism operations.
 
Eligible not-for-profit organizations can apply for non-repayable funding of up to $250,000 to support the growth of the tourism industry.
 
Projects must target one of six priorities:

  • Support active tourism
  • Increase tourism benefits for communities
  • Support the Indigenous tourism industry
  • Support economic, environmental and culturally sustainable tourism
  • Extend the season
  • Complement support provided through provincial programs.

Apply by February 20, 2024.
SPECULATION AND VACANT TAX EXPANSION ANNOUNCED

The BC Government has announced the speculation and vacant tax will be applied to the following municipal boundaries to help ensure more empty homes are made available for the people who work and live there:

  • Vernon, Coldstream;
  • Penticton, Summerland;
  • Lake Country, Peachland;
  • Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland;
  • Parksville, Qualicum Beach;
  • Salmon Arm; and
  • Kamloops.

Residential property owners in these communities will need to declare for the first time in January 2025 based on how they used their property in 2024.

For more information and the background – visit https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023FIN0065-001819
BCLCA WELCOMES NEW MEMBER



Ridgeview Resort, Radium Hot Springs
Jeff Holmgren
BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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