Regulation - LGIC
Travel Industry Act, 2002 – Proposed Regulatory Amendments to the General Regulation (Ontario Regulation 26/05)
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 26/05
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Travel Industry Act, 2002
Summary of Decision:
The government has recently made several regulatory amendments that will implement recommendations from the Assessment of Consumer Protection Against Financial Instability in the Travel Industry, reduce burden on business and enhance consumer protection.
Specifically, the regulation under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 has been revised to:
•Require travel agents and wholesalers to provide the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) with notice of their intention to close as soon as practicable and in any event within a minimum of 10 days before closure of their business;
•Ensure that the rules that apply to consumer compensation claims for trip completion/repatriation expenses are effective and fair by establishing entitlements, limitations, and claims and appeals processes;
•Clarify educational requirements for travel agents;
•Permit TICO to provide bulk lists of new and recently terminated travel agents and wholesalers;
•Simplify travel industry invoicing requirements;
•Reduce required security amounts to a level better matched to risk so that businesses have a viable alternative to trust accounts; and
•Improve financial reporting by requiring registrants acting as both wholesalers and agents to meet reporting requirements for their combined total sales.
Specifically, the regulation under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 has been revised to:
•Require travel agents and wholesalers to provide the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) with notice of their intention to close as soon as practicable and in any event within a minimum of 10 days before closure of their business;
•Ensure that the rules that apply to consumer compensation claims for trip completion/repatriation expenses are effective and fair by establishing entitlements, limitations, and claims and appeals processes;
•Clarify educational requirements for travel agents;
•Permit TICO to provide bulk lists of new and recently terminated travel agents and wholesalers;
•Simplify travel industry invoicing requirements;
•Reduce required security amounts to a level better matched to risk so that businesses have a viable alternative to trust accounts; and
•Improve financial reporting by requiring registrants acting as both wholesalers and agents to meet reporting requirements for their combined total sales.
Further Information:
Consultation on proposed Regulatory Amendments to the Travel Industry Act, 2002
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Travel Industry Act, 2002
Ontario Regulation 26/05
Travel Industry Act, 2002
Ontario Regulation 26/05
Regulatory Amendments: Ontario Regulation 26/05
Proposal Number:
09-MCS006
Posting Date:
November 2, 2009
Summary of Proposal:
In April 2009, following the closure of Conquest Vacations, the ministry undertook the Assessment of Consumer Protection Against Financial Instability in the Travel Industry. The Assessment found that while Ontario’s regulation of the travel industry is equal to or better than, other Canadian jurisdictions, there is an opportunity to further strengthen consumer protection and increase transparency.
To this end, the Ministry of Consumer Services is proposing several amendments to the regulation under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. These amendments are intended to fulfil the regulatory recommendations of the Assessment, as well as reduce burden on business and enhance consumer protection in the travel industry.
The ministry has prepared a consultation paper on the proposed amendments that is available for public review and comment. See “Further Information”.
To this end, the Ministry of Consumer Services is proposing several amendments to the regulation under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. These amendments are intended to fulfil the regulatory recommendations of the Assessment, as well as reduce burden on business and enhance consumer protection in the travel industry.
The ministry has prepared a consultation paper on the proposed amendments that is available for public review and comment. See “Further Information”.
Contact Address:
Policy Branch
Ministry of Consumer Services
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2J3
Ministry of Consumer Services
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2J3
Effective Date:
July 1, 2010
Decision:
Approved