ACTA Applauds Quebec Fee Move

ACTA is applauding the Quebec government’s decision to waive OPC permit fees from March 31, 2021, till Feb. 28, 2022.

The association has been one of a number of organizations calling for this relief for travel agencies.

Wendy Paradis, president of ACTA, said: “Without assistance, many travel agencies will not survive the current lockdowns and government restrictions on travel.”

Each year, the Office de la Protection du Consommateur (OPC) collects hundreds of thousands of dollars from Quebec travel businesses. ACTA had asked numerous times that the Quebec government extend financial relief and waive all OPC fees.

ACTA is also calling upon the OPC and the Quebec government to look at other options to reduce the financial burden for travel agencies including:

  • Reducing the amount of the Bond and the length of time to 5 years.
  • Replacing costly review engagements with a verification statement for travel agencies with gross sales under $2 million which would align Quebec with Ontario’s measures.

As well, ACTA is encouraging the Quebec government to ensure that travel agencies will not face barriers and are eligible to apply for aid under the Aide aux Entreprises en regions en Alerte Maximale (AERAM).

This funding program is designed to help businesses that have been partially or completely closed due to the mandate of a public health authority.

With governments strongly reinforcing the message to not travel, travel agencies and travel agents have been effectively “shuttered” since March 2020, and therefore, must be eligible under this program.

Go to www.acta.ca