Advocacy Wins
For more than 30 years, NGCOA Canada has represented the interests of golf course owners and operators with governments, regulators and industry stakeholders across the country. Our advocacy has helped reduce costs, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, protect golf operations and ensure the business of golf has a strong voice when decisions affecting our industry are made.
Results That Have Made a Difference
Reducing Costs and Improving Fairness
Property Tax Assessment Reform
Helped secure a Current Value Assessment methodology better suited to golf course properties, resulting in approximately $65 million in property tax refunds for 492 Ontario golf courses.
Highway Sign Fee Increases Curtailed
Following member and industry advocacy, the Ontario government froze Tourism-Oriented Directional Signage fees for 2019 and introduced a more gradual pricing structure.
Golf Cart Licensing Requirements Removed
Helped eliminate unnecessary golf cart licensing requirements, saving some facilities as much as $20,000 annually.
Food & Beverage Tax Deductibility
Achieved federal recognition that eligible food and beverage expenses incurred at golf courses may qualify as deductible business-entertainment expenses.
Music-Licensing Relief
Secured the waiver of two years of retroactive music-licensing royalties and an extended submission deadline for affected facilities.
Capital Gains Tax
NGCOA Canada joined the broader Canadian business community in opposing the proposed increase to the capital-gains inclusion rate. The proposal was ultimately cancelled.
Flood-Relief Eligibility Expanded
Advocacy helped expand Alberta's Flood Relief Program through an additional eligibility tier based on equivalent full-time employees, allowing most golf facilities to qualify.
Access to Tourism Funding
Advocacy helped make eligible golf-related projects accessible through key provincial tourism-development funding programs, including EPRTNT and PADAT.
Removing Barriers to Golf Operations
Modernized Liquor Regulations
Supported regulatory changes allowing customers to move alcohol purchased on-site between licensed areas of a golf course property.
Golf Cart Safety Exemption
Advocacy helped secure relief from proposed mandatory seatbelt and rollover-protection requirements for standard golf carts.
Earlier Alcohol Service
Helped change permitted alcohol service hours at golf courses from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., effective May 13, 2019.
Weather-Dependent Scheduling Exemption
Helped secure an exemption from the proposed 48-hour notice requirement when employee shifts were cancelled because of weather.
More Equitable Liquor Enforcement
Advocacy contributed to better recognition of golf-specific operating conditions and more equitable liquor enforcement.
Licensed Beverage Carts
Helped secure approval for licensed beverage-cart service at golf courses in both provinces.
Smoking Regulations Recognize Golf
Successfully advocated for recognition of golf's unique operating circumstances under Québec smoking regulations.
Protecting the Ability to Operate
Pesticide Exemptions & Practical Standards
NGCOA Canada and allied industry organizations have advocated across Canada for golf-specific exemptions, appropriate Integrated Pest Management standards and practical pesticide regulations that recognize the unique requirements of golf course maintenance. Successful outcomes and protections have been achieved in multiple jurisdictions, including Ontario, Québec and other provinces across the country.
More Practical Water Restrictions
Helped secure greater flexibility for Metro Vancouver golf facilities to determine when irrigation occurs while respecting overall water-use limits.
Environmental Stakeholder Recognition
The Alberta golf industry achieved stakeholder status on environmental policy, helping ensure golf has a voice in future government consultations.
Gatineau Pesticide By-law Revised
Advocacy contributed to removal of mandatory certification requirements while maintaining responsible environmental-management expectations.
Expropriation Legislation Improvements
Advocacy on Bill 22 contributed to extended timelines and improved compensation provisions for some affected landowners.
Prepaid Tee-Time Rules Clarified
Obtained regulatory clarification supporting facilities' ability to require full prepayment and apply clearly communicated no-show and refund policies.
Protecting Golf Through COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NGCOA Canada worked alongside allied golf organizations to represent the industry with governments and public-health authorities across the country. We helped demonstrate that golf could operate safely, kept operators informed as legislation and public-health requirements changed, and helped coordinate the industry's response throughout the pandemic.
Industry Advocacy Wins
Access to PGA Buying Shows
Successfully advocated for golf course owners to receive access to PGA buying shows in several Canadian regions.
Protecting Golf's Reputation
Advocacy resulted in the withdrawal of beer advertising that portrayed golfers damaging golf courses.
Advocacy That Delivers
Through NGCOA Canada, our Chapters and our allied golf-industry partners, Canada's golf course owners and operators have a coordinated voice at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
