CRVA’s 50th Anniversary: A Year of Celebration, Advocacy, and Giving Back
As the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) reflects on its 50th year, 2025 stands as a familiar example of the issues the Association has had to face and address for five decades.
While significant milestones can offer a moment to look back and celebrate, CRVA’s focus is now moving forward and getting back to the work that matters the most to its members and partners: engagement, advocacy, and protecting the long-term stability of Canada’s RV industry.
Industry Promotion and Community Engagement
Throughout the past year, CRVA enjoyed having a presence at numerous industry events, consumer shows, and community initiatives across the country.
CRVA’s anniversary activities included participation in the ORVO Rally in May, Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival in June, the Vancouver Craft Beer Festival in July, Boots and Hearts Music Festival in August, and at the Canadian National Exhibition in September.
These events provided opportunities for CRVA to engage directly with existing RV owners but also highlight the accessibility and appeal of the RV lifestyle to potential consumers who are unfamiliar with RVing.
Industry-focused stops included CRVA’s Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show in February, the Moncton RV Show in March, and ORVDA’s Fall RV Show in October.
CRVA would like to truly thank the Atlantic RVDA and ORVDA for the opportunity to be there!
Giving Back to our Community
The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association was excited to participate in the Flamborough Santa Claus Parade with the CRVA 50th RV in November and held a “Stuff the RV” Food Drive in support of the Burlington Food Bank at Sobeys and No Frills locations in December.
Advocacy on Tariffs and Cross-Border Trade
Advocacy will continue to be a central focus for CRVA as we enter 2026, particularly in relation to tariffs affecting Canadian-built motorhomes.
Of concern is the 35% U.S. tariff applied to certain motorhomes that fall outside CUSMA rules of origin, primarily Class B and Class C units manufactured in Canada on a German made Mercedes chassis.
These unfair measures create significant cost pressures that ripple through the RV value chain, affecting our manufacturers and their dealers and consumers alike.
CRVA has consistently argued that tariffs undermine the integrated nature of the North American RV industry.
Our position will remain focused on getting back to a fair and balanced reciprocal trade with coordination with our industry partners in Canada and the United States.
Addressing Development Charges and Municipal Interpretation
Beyond national trade issues, CRVA remains increasingly concerned with how development charges are being applied by certain Ontario municipalities.
CRVA has been updated on the issue by several of its members along with Camping in Ontario on a recent case involving the application of development charges to campground developments using CSA Z241–certified Park Model Recreational Vehicles near Peterborough.
Under the CSA Z241 standard, Park Model RVs are clearly defined for seasonal and temporary use, with construction and safety requirements aligned to recreational—not residential—applications.
Concerns arise when municipalities expand or reinterpret these definitions to justify applying development charges intended for permanent residential development.
Such reclassification undermines regulatory consistency and introduces safety, compliance, and affordability risks for campground operators, consumers, and Park Model manufacturers.
If left unaddressed, these interpretations risk setting precedents that could extend to other jurisdictions, creating uncertainty and discouraging investment across the sector.
CRVA’s position is that Development Charges should not be applied to Seasonal Campgrounds.
Industry engagement, clear communication, and consistent interpretations are essential to maintaining a fair regulatory environment and protecting the long-term integrity of Ontario’s RV and campground industry.
CRVA’s December Board Meeting includes Industry Collaboration
During our latest Board Meeting on December 4th in Toronto, CRVA was joined by its industry partners, including Eleonore Hamm and Ken Dobson from RVDA of Canada, Cara Csizmadia, of the Canadian Camping and RV Association, and Chris Mahony and Cyrus Irani from Go RVing Canada, each giving updates from their respective associations,
CRVA was also joined via Zoom by Gwynn Sullivan, Executive Director of Care Camps, who spoke with the group about the impact Care Camps has had on children and families.
The discussion reinforced the strong alignment between CRVA and Care Camps and the importance of continued industry support as the Association looks ahead to 2026.
Protecting the Definition of Recreational Vehicles
CRVA, RVDA of Canada and the Canadian Camping and RV Association continue to reinforce a critical distinction: recreational vehicles are not intended for full-time residential use in Canada, especially in the winter!
This position is grounded in established safety and certification standards, including CSA Z240 (Recreational Vehicles) and CSA Z241 (Park Model Recreational Vehicles), which define RVs as units designed for “temporary or seasonal use” only and not permanent housing.
We note that we have been made aware of situations in multiple jurisdictions which has highlighted the serious consequences that can arise when RVs are misused outside their intended purpose.
Tragically, there have been incidents in Canada involving individuals living full time in recreational vehicles where there have been fires and tragically loss of life.
These instances often linked to the use of portable or improvised heating devices not designed for continuous residential occupancy. These incidents underscore the real safety risks that merge when RVs are treated as permanent dwellings.
Protecting the definition of an RV is essential not only for manufacturers and dealers, but also for municipalities, insurers, emergency responders, and consumers.
A Year of Giving Back: Canvassing Industry Support for Care Camps
As you know, one of CRVA’s main goals during its 50th anniversary celebration was giving back in a meaningful way.
That commitment led the Association to partner with Care Camps, helping children with Cancer and their families have access to safe, supportive outdoor experiences with funds raised through a RV Giveaway, featuring a $100,000 plus travel trailer donated by General Coach Canada.
Throughout 2025, CRVA has been canvassing ticket purchases for a chance to win the RV while travelling across Canada.
If you are able, individuals and companies can also make donations through the same online portal with official tax receipts issued directly by the charity.
CRVA would like to recognize and sincerely thank Triple E Canada for their generous $5,000 donation made to the Care Camps Foundation in December!
Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show
CRVA is proud to announce that the Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show will donate $1 from every ticket sold during the 2026 show to Care Camps as part of the Association’s year-long fundraising effort.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
As we move into 2026, CRVA will continue its focus working with their industry partners to address current challenges and capture new opportunities to protect the future of Canada’s RV industry.
While this past year has been truly memorable, it has only reinforced the importance of industry collaboration, and stakeholders all joining together to support one another.
The following video is dedicated to everyone who we met during the year and supported our journey.
On behalf of CRVA’s Members and our Board, I wish each of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and I look forward to seeing you on the road soon!
Shane Devenish,
Canadian RV Association
1100 Burloak Dr, #300
Burlington, Ontario L7L 6B2
Office: (905) 315-3156
Website: www.crva.ca
Email: info@crva.ca
