Ottawa RV show shoppers are looking to explore Canada on wheels instead of wings

People attending the Ottawa RV Expo and Sale say they’re looking for new ways to explore Canada this summer. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

The 2026 Ottawa RV Expo and Sale at the EY Centre welcomed new and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts to buy their next home away from home.

Ilona and Norman Freill have been looking at RV’s online for about five years and were ready to buy their dream leisure travel van at the show.

“We’ve settled on the unity twin bed or the Wonder Rear Lounge,” says Ilona.

After looking online, they are happy to be able to check the quality of the product in-person.

“We want our own bed to sleep in. We want our own bathroom. We want to be able to pull over on the side of the road,” says Ilona.

“No surprises in any sketchy hotels or anything like that. You have a very comfortable bed. Sometimes when you travel, food is a problem of having quality food. This way you can make your own meals,” says Norman.

The couple are soon to retire but say they aren’t planning to travel to the United States anytime soon.

“I think the idea is we’d start with Canada and see all of Canada,” say Norman.

“We definitely want to go to Newfoundland. I’d love to get back out to the West Coast because that’s where I came from originally and all along the middle — the prairies are beautiful,” Ilona.

Just like the Friells, many other shoppers say they are avoiding U.S. road trips.

“We’re definitely going to stay in Canada. We may take a trip out to the East coast, maybe to Moncton,” says Jennifer Fieldhouse, who was shopping for an RV.

“We’re also thinking we’d just like to explore Ontario and check all the campsites out along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. We haven’t camped down there before.”

Fieldhouse and her husband Ben are new to the RV shopping. They are checking out the variety of sizes, prices and offers.

“We’ve both just retired and we haven’t gone camping with an RV since our kids were little. We thought that we would dip our toe in and see what we think,” says Fieldhouse.

“Traveling within your own country has definitely become an attractive opportunity for people here in Canada. We’re definitely seeing a lot of across Canada travel this year in particular,” says Natalie Conway, show director of Ontario’s RV shows.

The show offers something for different budgets and lifestyles, from entry level travel trailers to ultra luxury motorhomes ranging in price from $20,000 to more than half a million dollars.

The Friells say they are in their golden years and have a five-year plan to travel. They’re looking for comfort as well quality in their RV.

“They’re very, very excellent quality made in Canada products. It’s made in Winkler, Manitoba. The quality of these leisure travel vans, they’re like in the top five. You don’t have to worry about breakdowns,” says Ilona.

The show also includes many activities and learning opportunities for individuals to learn more about the RV lifestyle.

Some like Rita Macfeely, who’s been camping for more than 40 years, are just looking for new ideas to upgrade their RV.

“Great ideas for shoe storage and I kind of like the back kitchen. It’s very, very practical,” says Macfeely.

Macfeely also says she plans to travel within Canada this year.

“We would love to do route 66 and go down that Pacific coast to the States but under the current situation, we’re not quite willing to do that right now,” she said. “This year it’s going to be Ontario Provincial Parks.”

Experts say during the pandemic, the RV business saw a huge boom.

“The community continues to grow, year over year. We’re seeing more and more young families getting involved in the lifestyle,” says Conway.

The 2026 Ottawa RV Expo and Sale runs through the weekend and wraps up Sunday at 5 p.m.

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