Canada announced details of its 2023 Federal Budget Tuesday, with direct travel industry impact including an investment of $1.8 billion over five years to improve passenger screening and airport operations
As reported by Canadian Press, the government intends to prioritize addressing a backlog of air travel complaints to the Canadian Transportation Agency. It also proposes strengthening the rules around compensation for Canadians whose travel plans are disrupted, and to give the CTA more authority to resolve passenger complaints.
Travel advisor association ACTA says the omittance in the budget of any resources to help travel agents or help change travel legislation isn't surprising.
In an emailed statement, ACTA says it was "discouraged but not surprised by today's federal budget, as all indications leading up to the budget were that it would be an austerity budget based on the current economic environment and the massive relief expenditures during the pandemic."
ACTA says it is concerned that there are ongoing critical issues that affect travel agencies and travel advisors -- especially debt relief from pandemic support. The organization says it will continue to lay the groundwork for debt relief and ramp up grassroots advocacy efforts at the appropriate time.
CBC reports that the extra $1.8 billion to help fix alleviate the travel disruptions that Canadians have experienced over the past year will come at a price to consumers. The Air Travel Security Charge, which hasn't increased since 2010, is set to jump by almost 33 per cent next year.
That will bring the added fee built-in to a one-way ticket within Canada to $9.94, on a flight to the U.S. to $16.89, and on a trip overseas to $34.42.
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