P.E.I. tourism operators uneasy about province taking over inspections, says Opposition
Quality Tourism Services says it will cost the jobs of all 10 employees on the Island
The province is planning to bring the inspection of tourist accommodations on Prince Edward Island in-house, a change the Official Opposition warns could lead to political interference.
The move came to light through an exchange in question period at the P.E.I. Legislature Thursday, when interim Liberal Leader Hal Perry asked about independent oversight of the inspection process.
The Central Bedeque-based non-profit organization Quality Tourism Services, or QTS, has been responsible for inspecting tourism properties on the Island for the past 30 years.
Tourism Minister Zack Bell confirmed in the legislature that his department is now bringing that service under the government's roof.
"We have been internally looking from the legal point of view, from the risk-management point of view, about bringing that service in-house," Bell said.
"One of the main things that has come to our attention is that most of the government inspection services — for example fire or health inspections — are done in-house."
According to Quality Tourism Services' website, the organization acts as an agent of the P.E.I. government "to conduct inspections of tourism establishments in accordance with the Tourism Industry Act and Regulations. QTS provides inspection services to all existing establishments and assists new or potential operators to become licensed."
The inspections ensure the accommodations are clean and safe for the visitors who stay there.
Perry said the province's decision to take over the service will undermine a proven system, and puts the Island's tourism reputation at risk.
"We've heard from nearly a dozen tourism operators who are really worried about this government's plan… and they've raised some very serious concerns about trust, transparency and quality," he said.
"Inspections have remained outside government for a reason. Bringing them in [house] risks political influence. If an inspection doesn't go well, an operator could feel pressure to call their MLA expecting a different outcome."
I do feel that anyone who's doing the inspection service would do it to the best of their ability.— Tourism Minister Zack Bell
Bell said the inspections prioritize the safety of the guests, and that he's confident political interference won't undermine the process.
"I would highly suggest that that would not be the case," the tourism minister said.
"I do feel that anyone who's doing the inspection service would do it to the best of their ability and keeping in the back of their mind that the end user is the visitor who is going to be affected by the inspection."
QTS caught by surprise
QTS executive director Colin MacIntyre told CBC News that the province's termination of the contract came as a surprise, and that most tourism operators aren't aware of the change.
The organization was told inspectors will keep working until June 30. MacIntyre said the decision will leave 10 people out of work.
He added that QTS's service costs the province nothing because the organization is funded through licensing fees paid by tourism operators. Now, all inspectors will have to be hired as government employees.
Bell encouraged the current QTS employees to apply for the provincial jobs when they're posted.
The tourism minister said he's confident the department can have inspectors hired to take over by July 1, but added that inspections usually take place outside the peak summer season these days.
"We're trying to grow the season… outside of June, July and August, which would typically be a busier time, so we are seeing a lot more of the inspections being spread out throughout the year."
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With files from Stacey Janzer and Wayne Thibodeau