THIS BASICALLY IS BACK TO BEFORE WE EVER HAD TICO AND THE GOVERNMENT RAN IT ALL

protection, and not the one they have now that is all funded on the backs of travel companies? It stinks to high heaven.”

The insider is also concerned about regulatory creep, with more red tape and bureaucracy: “This basically is back to before we ever had TICO and the government ran it all.”

TICO plans to host a webinar in the coming weeks to provide more information about how the Minister’s orders will be implemented and provide an opportunity for registrants and stakeholders to ask questions. “More information will be shared soon,” says TICO.

Meanwhile TICO is making the necessary by-law changes to implement the five orders, which will be presented at its AGM, scheduled virtually for Sept. 26, 2023 at 5 p.m.

TICO adds that similar governance changes have been implemented at other Delegated Administrative Authorities, including the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) and Tarion.

AUG. 21 DEADLINE

ACTA notes that the deadline to apply for the industry position on new TICO board is Aug. 21.

“Regardless of this change in board composition, it is important that the voice of the industry is heard by TICO and the Ontario government – and to this end, there will be two industry directors on the new board and there will be an industry advisory council formed,” says Paradis. “Anyone interested in being considered for the TICO board must apply by August 21, 2023.”

Paradis adds that ACTA is still in the dark about recommendations for any changes to the TICO fee structure and the mechanism for funding the Comp Fund.

“The Ontario government continuously ‘says’ it is committed to red tape reduction – a reduction in administrative and financial burden on Ontario business. They say…Ontario is ‘open for business’,” said Paradis in her statement earlier this week.

“The message that ACTA has delivered to government is clear. The industry cannot and should not be bogged down by unnecessary administrative burden to run a travel business in Ontario. The industry cannot and should not be required to financially support an ever-expanding regulator with increased unnecessary legislation and fees.

“Our message has been consistent. If the Ontario government is committed to a Traveller Consumer Compensation Fund in Ontario to cover potential bankruptcies, the current compensation should be fixed, including … that the beneficiary of the fund – the travel consumer – should be the contributor to that Fund as is the model in Quebec.”

Paradis adds that the industry “is recovering from a catastrophic global pandemic and should not and cannot support unnecessary administrative and financial burden.”