ACTA Applauds Recent Moves in Quebec and Ontario
by Daniel McCarthy
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) has used its influence to continue to advocate for its travel agent members, including helping to secure much-needed financial relief for some of its most vulnerable members.
Even with that success, ACTA has continued to push for expansion of relief for Canadian agencies. This week, the organization said that recent moves from the government in Quebec and Ontario were positive steps forward, while British Columbia, where a lack of action has harmed its members, needs to step-up.
On Wednesday, the Quebec government said it would be making new adjustments to its Small and Medium businesses (SMEs) aid, including opening up the eligibility for the program. The new rules, which allows not only inbound agencies but also outbound ones to be eligible for assistance measures, allows nearly 600 Quebec agencies to take advantage of the tourism component of the PACTE.
Still, ACTA said its work in Quebec is not done yet—it will continue to push for a one-time payment of $7,000 for each retail agency and will continue to lobby both the Office de la Protection de Consommateur (OPC), the Quebec Ministries of Justice and the Economy and the Premier’s office, for a waiver of all OPC fees for this year and next.
It’s also pushing for a formal allowance of future travel vouchers (FTV) and for FTVs to be covered under against the Quebec consumer compensation fund.
For TICO, ACTA applauded the move announced on Dec. 1 that would reduce the burden on agencies in Ontario, including the two-year exemption on filing annual financial statements accompanied by a review engagement report or audit; the extension of the temporary provisions for registrants who acquire the rights to travel services for resale to choose to provide a voucher (March 31, 2022); and the elimination of the requirement for a registrant to repay commissions and other remuneration received to TICO.
Further efforts in British Columbia
So far, ACTA said, letters sent to B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety, the Solicitor General, the President and CEO of Consumer Protection BC and the Manager, Industry Relations at Consumer Protection BC, have been left unanswered.
In the letters, ACTA was asking for a waiver for all Consumer Protection BC Fees for this year and next; the removal of the minimum Working Capital requirement; and a reduction in the security deposit by 75% on a temporary basis.
“However, what Consumer Protection BC has done was advise BC Travel agencies that it is deferring a full review due this year and is also deferring the annual increases in fees. This means that all 2021 licensing and other fees for the travel sector will stay at 2020 rates,” ACTA said.
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