Residents of Vancouver Island and nearby smaller islands are engaged in a heated discussion regarding an application from an American non-profit organization seeking to use British Columbia's Crown land for camping during kayak trips. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which conducts outdoor expeditions globally, is looking to renew and expand a license it has held since 2006. This application would allow NOLS to camp at 77 designated locations while leading kayak trips from Washington to Alaska next summer.

The proposed camping sites, which vary in size from 0.3 to 4.6 hectares, are primarily located on and around Vancouver Island. The application has sparked significant conversation on social media platforms, including Facebook and Reddit, where many residents have expressed concerns about an American organization accessing Canadian land.

Karen McCarthy, a resident of Esquimalt near Victoria, B.C., voiced her worries after seeing a community post about the application. "It just did raise some red flags for me when I saw it," she said. McCarthy is particularly concerned about the number of proposed locations and the perceived lack of consultation with local communities and First Nations near the sites. She added that the current climate of Canada-U.S. relations might warrant a reevaluation of licensing considerations. "The 51st state comments and the threats to our economic sovereignty and our sovereignty — it just doesn't feel like a time to be allowing American companies to run through our wilderness," she stated.

While some online commenters raised specific concerns about certain sites, others defended NOLS, highlighting its reputation for responsible wilderness practices, such as adhering to "leave no trace" principles. There is also confusion among the public regarding the nature of the license, with some fearing it could be used for military purposes or that NOLS would construct facilities at the camping sites. However, a spokesperson for NOLS clarified that the upcoming trip is intended for alumni and not for military training.

Rich Majerus, NOLS's vice president of expeditions, emphasized that the organization has been operating along the B.C. coast since the mid-1990s. "The waters around Vancouver Island have been an area NOLS has loved and appreciated for decades," he said. He explained that the application for 77 campsites is precautionary, allowing for unplanned stops due to weather or emergencies, and confirmed that no structures will be built at these sites.

The B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship stated that the licenses allow for commercial use of Crown land but do not grant exclusive access, meaning the public can still utilize these areas. Licenses are typically issued for a duration of 10 years, costing $850 annually plus $1 per day for land use.

Mike Willie, a hereditary chief of the Kwikwasut'inuxw Nation, acknowledged the importance of outdoor tourism to B.C.'s economy but argued that priority should be given to local interests. "I feel like we should be keeping our sites for our local people — non-native and First Nations — before we start looking at outside interests," he said. Willie expressed concern that he only learned about the application through social media discussions, especially since some proposed sites are within his nation's traditional territory.

The ministry indicated that it is in the early stages of engaging with First Nations regarding the application. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until October 5. Following this period, the ministry will continue to review the application, considering factors such as wildfire risks and pollution.