Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of our industry. We need your help to raise awareness about proposed tariff measures that could have a significant impact on the RV sector and campgrounds across Canada.
There is growing concern over the Government of Canada's plan to impose a 25% counter tariff on major RV categories, scheduled to take effect on April 2, 2025. If approved, these tariffs will create serious operational challenges and disrupt pricing structures for businesses, including campgrounds.
Why This Matters to You
While this issue directly affects RV dealers immediately, campgrounds will also feel the ripple effects, including:
- Increased costs for RVs and related services, making them less affordable for Canadian families.
- Potential decreases in consumer spending on RV-related activities, which will have a knock-on effect on campground bookings and revenues.
- Economic impacts that could influence the viability of both RV businesses and campgrounds across the country.
Call to Action: Advocate Now
The Government of Canada is seeking input on its planned tariff measures, and your immediate response is crucial. By submitting your comments in the official consultation process, you can:
- Help remove RV products from the Phase 2 tariff list.
- Secure potential exemptions for your business and the broader campground sector.
- Demonstrate the collective economic impact of this tariff on the Canadian camping and RV industries.
Key Points to Address in Your Submission:
- Economic Impact: Describe how a 25-30% cost increase would affect your campground’s operations and financial health.
- Consumer Impact: Explain how these tariffs could make RVs and camping more expensive, thus impacting bookings and guest experiences.
- Supply Limitations: Given that roughly 95% of RV's in Canada are imported from manufacturers in the US, with minimal Canadian manufacturing alternatives available, highlight significant challenges in sourcing Canadian-made products or services.
- Timeline Concerns: Address how the proposed tariff implementation timing could create operational and inventory issues for campgrounds.
Initial tariffs of $30 billion implemented on March 13, 2025 have now doubled to $60 billion, with Phase 2 specifically targeting:
TARIFF CODE: RV CATEGORY
- 8716.10.00.99 TRAVEL TRAILERS
- 8716.10.00.91 FIFTH WHEELS
- 8703.24.00.21 GAS MOTORHOMES (NEW)
- 8703.24.00.21 GAS MOTORHOMES (USED)
- 8703.33.00.21 DIESEL MOTORHOMES
Approval Process & Timeline
Removal from the tariff list must be approved by Cabinet. A new cabinet was named on March 14, 2025, and the new Minister of Finance, Minister Champagne, will need to make a recommendation to the Cabinet for approval. Cabinet can make these decisions and take action even when an election is called.
In terms of remission timelines, the process generally takes about two months; however, given the volume and unprecedented number of tariffs being imposed, the timeline is uncertain.
The deadline for submissions is fast approaching, and we urge you to take action today. The more voices we have in this consultation, the stronger our message will be.