Alberta man arrested after shooting at Osoyoos RV encampment

Residents at the Maple Grove RV Park in Guelph-Eramosa Township, Ontario, were left without lights or air conditioning after a power cut due to an unpaid bill. The incident occurred on June 5, 2026. Residents said they were not warned about the potential disconnection.

Kelly Dowse, 68, was arrested after an incident Friday night at the Strawberry Creek encampment near Osoyoos. Court heard he argued with another camper over a scooter, then retrieved a rifle from his motorhome and fired through a window at the other RV. Police heard possible additional shots upon arrival; Dowse barricaded himself inside. After about ten minutes, he exited and was shot in the leg with a non-lethal round. A rifle, cartridges, and casings were found. No injuries were reported. Dowse faces a charge of careless use or storage of a firearm and remains in custody until his next court appearance.

A Canadian couple planning a cross-country trip in a camper saw their fuel estimate rise from $4,500 to $7,000 due to higher diesel prices. New RV unit sales in Canada fell 16.5% in Q1 2026 compared to the same period last year, with motorhome sales dropping 48.5% and trailer sales down 13.4%. RV owners may reduce trip distance and frequency, but campground bookings remain strong.

Canadian RV rental operators Canadream, Cruise, Fraserway, and Owasco have completed a strong financial year. German tourists remain the key international clientele. The companies are expanding their fleet with new models and opening new rental stations.

Canadian RV rental marketplace RVezy announced a strategic pivot toward campground delivery service. Founded in 2016 after a Dragons' Den pitch, the company grew to over $3 million in revenue by 2018 and secured $20 million in investment in 2021. Delivery is now its fastest-growing booking method, particularly among first-time renters and families.

The Chatterbox project in Winnipeg uses a converted 1978 camper to record gratitude stories between neighbors. Founder David Balzer parks the studio at block parties and community events, collecting 5–7 minute audio stories.