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Welcome to the Canadian Camping and RV Association’s dedicated page on our ongoing advocacy efforts for fair tax treatment under Bill C-410. Here, you will find comprehensive resources, updates, and support tools aimed at amending the Income Tax Act to recognize campgrounds as active businesses. Join us as we work together to support this important legislative change, improve the economic environment for campgrounds, and enhance the overall health of Canada’s tourism industry.
On June 19, 2024, MP Lianne Rood of Lambton-Middlesex-Kent made a pivotal advancement in the House of Commons by introducing Private Members Bill C-410, titled “An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (campgrounds).” This first reading of the Bill represents a major milestone, reflecting the culmination of nearly a decade of dedicated efforts by all provincial campground associations, the Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVA), the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada (RVDA), and the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA). Each organization has worked tirelessly to bring this issue to the forefront of national policy discussions.
We extend our deepest gratitude to MP Rood and her committed team for recognizing the importance of this issue and for their collaborative efforts to formulate this essential piece of legislation. Their proactive approach not only highlights the significance of the campground industry to Canada’s tourism sector but also paves the way for more equitable tax treatment, which is crucial for the sustainability and growth of campgrounds across the nation. We look forward to continuing our work together to advocate for the passing of this bill, aiming to achieve a fair and supportive operational environment for campgrounds throughout Canada.
Small family owned Private Campgrounds in Canada continue to advocate the Federal Government to endorse change in the current Income Tax Act or enact other legislative measures that clearly distinguish small family run campgrounds with less than 5 full time employees year round as an “active business” and thus eligible for the small business tax deduction.
Despite the robust economic impact figures, owning a Private Campground is generally not considered a lucrative business. With most being family operated, owners must work up to 15 hours a day, 7 days a week during May-October on an average camping season of 152 days for their business to survive.
The current classification of a Private Campground employing less than 5 full-time employees year-round is a Passive “Specified Investment Business” as opposed to an “Active Business” in the Income Tax Act. This makes operating the business much more financially challenging for the owner who is consistently under the threat of a potential 50% Tax Rate as opposed to automatically qualifying for the small business tax deduction of approximately 15% (a qualification that other small family run operations would unquestionably qualify for annually).
Direct from the Canada Revenue Agency:
“Generally, the business of a campground involves the renting of property and providing basic services typical to that type of rental operation. In such a situation, the principal purpose of that business would be to earn rental income from real or immovable property and the corporation would not be eligible for the small business deduction, unless it employs more than five full-time employees in that business throughout the year.”
CCRVA estimates that 75%-80% of the 2347 Private Campgrounds in Canada employ less than the five full-time employees year-round (even when closed), which classification requires that these owners must prove to the Canada Revenue Agency annually that they have the necessary criteria to qualify for the Small Business Deduction.
CCRVA strongly advocates that the Government of Canada provide an exemption, by legislative change or other means, to seasonal businesses such as private campgrounds employing less than five full-time employees year-round and who are unfairly categorized as a “specified investment business” as a result, to make them clearly eligible for the small business tax deduction without the annual subjective judgement by the Canada Revenue Agency, and recognize the income earned by campgrounds as “active business income” for the purpose of determining eligibility for the small business deduction.
To qualify for the Small Business Tax Deduction without the annual CRA adjudication, it is unreasonable to expect Private Campgrounds, who operate in Canada on average less than half the year (152 days), to employ full time workers during the off season.
The annual task to prove to CRA that a Private Campground is an active business is arduous and could be very expensive for the business. As we indicated previously, operating a Private Campground is not very financially lucrative and all expenses need to be monitored closely.
Without change by the Federal Government, Private Campgrounds owners across Canada will continue to withhold the hiring of additional part-time employees, pause infrastructure improvements and capital expenditures required to build additional campsites desperately needed given their uncertain annual tax obligation.
