Pontiac bets on vanlife to attract tourists

A vintage Aquarius Class C motorhome, built in Lethbridge by the Wickes Corporation, was spotted in storage in Crowsnest Pass. Production likely ended in the early 1980s. In 1970, Haico Manufacturing, a Wickes division, signed an agreement with the Blood Tribe to build a mobile home plant on their reserve.

On the evening of July 30, a vacant RV used for storage burned completely on Highway 5 in Hope. No injuries were reported; the cause is under investigation.

PintoWest Properties has announced that RV lots at MaraHills Golf Resort will be completed by June 2027. The delay is attributed to the Bruhn Bridge replacement project, which is essential for access to the community. The development, purchased in 2021, has potential for up to 1,000 units, including residential, RV, hotel, and recreational, but the company is currently focusing on RV lots.

Contrary to expectations, vanlife has not faded after the pandemic but continues to grow. Canadian companies such as VanLife Campers, Bromont Campervan and Safari Condo are expanding production and hiring more staff. VanLife Campers moved to an 85,000 sq ft building in Montreal, and VR Panoramic is building a plant in Chambly to triple its capacity. Prices for fully equipped vans start at CAD 150,000 and can exceed CAD 200,000, but demand is sustained by high resale value and year-round usability. The trend also drives infrastructure development: for instance, Tourisme Gaspésie has created a section for van travel.

On September 23, 2026, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal will host a networking evening at VanLife Campers' showroom. Attendees can explore converted campervans, network, and hear brief remarks from VanLife Campers and Loto-Québec. Registration is required by September 21.

A vandalized RV and a large pile of garbage have been dumped in Noble Canyon near Lavington. This is a recurring issue: in April 2022, a burned-out RV and a smashed fifth-wheel trailer were found at the same location. The District of Coldstream stated the area is outside its jurisdiction. The volunteer Okanagan Forestry Task Force (OFTF) previously cleaned up the site, but founder Kane Blake noted the process is costly and time-consuming, with no government funding. Since 2016, OFTF has removed over 1.4 million pounds of garbage and metal from Okanagan backcountry.