P.E.I. tourism operators uneasy about province taking over inspections, says Opposition
CBC
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."
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."
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