Shediac campground owners upset province using tax dollars to upgrade provincial campsite

WATCH ABOVE: Shediac campground owners are upset over plans to upgrade a nearby Provincial Park that would accommodate large RV’s. As Global’s Brion Robinson reports, the owners say public funds shouldn’t be used to compete with private businesses.

SHEDIAC, N.B. – Campground owners in Shediac say the provincial government is using their taxes against them to upgrade a provincial campsite in town.

The Department of Tourism Heritage and Culture is planning to upgrade the campsite at Parlee Beach Provincial Park in September.

The Department says their sites serve a different clientele who stay in the area for short-term visits.

It says the upgrades won’t add new sites to the area. Instead, it says the work will better help staff accommodate larger RVs coming to the park.

However, campground owners say the money should be spent somewhere else.

Dave Maltais runs Camping Oceanic.

“We’re complaining because they’re taking our taxes,” he said. “Take that money and do more promotion in Shediac instead of doing that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're complaining because they're taking our taxes," he said. "Take that money and do more promotion in Shediac instead of doing that."

Sophie Belliveau runs Ocean Surf RV Park and Camping near Parlee Beach.

“They should be investing in roads but certainly not in the camping industry,” she said.

Belliveau says private campground owners can handle the extra traffic.

“If there are any extra sites needed the private sector can accommodate that because we do have three or four campgrounds in the area that are expanding,” she said.

Marie-Paule Martin runs Beausejour Camping. She says she pays tens of thousands of dollars per year in taxes and her money shouldn’t go towards helping the competition.

“I am against any form of government competing against me who pays tax,” she said, noting there’s plenty of campsites in town for people who need them.

“There are several of us doing expansions so I don’t see why its the new thing so to add another one or add sites to Parlee Beach or any of those options.”