KDCA is starting to plan the annual spring meeting and we are hoping to see you all there! Meeting date will be May 5th, 2023, at the Waldof Hall. We plan on having a meeting with the same groups presenting as we normally do, and lunch will be provided. This year, to make it seem even more like normal, we are planning to have the evening steak dinner as was done in past years. We are all looking forward to a year being “back to normal” and returning to what we all love to do. KDCA, just like everyone, has had a tough time the last few years and did our best to reach out to local politicians, border agents and work with NOTO on getting our industry out of its current situation. The Tourism sector in our area has seen a lot of change in the last few years and we are hoping to see some new faces join KDCA in one of our available board positions. Elections will take place at the spring meeting so if you are interested in joining, please reach out to one of our board members today or head over to Why Be A Member? – Kenora District Camp Owners Association (https://kenoracampowners.com/kdca-members/why-be-a-member/) to learn more. As we have been offering complimentary memberships since Covid, we are now looking for membership dues going forward in 2023. There has been no increase in the membership fee. If you can please mail in your payment of $125.00 to Box 545, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z2. We hope that you are all aware of the drastic changes in the works for new gun laws.
NWO is a unique, remote geographical area, with an abundance of unspoiled lakes and forests. Over the past 80 years, the Kenora District Camp Owners Association, along with other Provincial and Federal interest groups, has lobbied for the interests of the travel industry in Northwest West Ontario. Over these last 80 years KDCA has won a few and lost a few. Price increases for LUPs was a tough one to fight, but KDCA’s voice was helpful in keeping the increases from escalating even higher. The fight for Covid relief was troublesome, but KDCA, NOTO and other lobbying groups were able to get the fees for LUPs, BMAs, and minnow licenses waived during Covid. Defeating the proposed water lot lease on the land under docks was nice. Our talks over the years with CBSA about the DUI problems at the border were constructive and we now have a good relationship with their management team.
KDCA has been actively supporting local causes as well. KDCA donated $5000.00 to help the Farabout Coalition establish a heritage site on the peninsula. The $800.00 per year KDCA sign on the boards of the Dryden hockey arena helps the Dryden Ice Dogs. The Dryden Ag Centre received $4000.00, and the N.W.O. Air Carriers Association was the recipient of a $5000.00 grant. NOTO received $20,000.00 from KDCA to help it weather the Covid shutdown as it is still a viable organization.
KDCA is a local voice for a vibrant industry. It’s up to the industry to support it and be a member.