The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors has launched a new e-Petition directly to Canada’s House of Commons.
The online document, which is open for signatures now until 22MAR, is sponsored by MP Melissa Lantsman, the Shadow Minister of Transport.
The petition demands the federal government remove the requirement for pax to obtain a negative PCR test for re-entry into Canada.
ACITA says that advisors’ clients are “most worried” about testing positive while on vacation and ending up having to quarantine abroad.
In its survey of the advisor members of its grassroots organization, ACITA found a large majority - 65 per cent - believe that the in-destination, pre-departure PCR testing requirements for returning Canadians is the "single greatest deterrent for consumers to book new travel."
And they note the "expanding list" of countries that have eliminated pre-departure testing requirements for inbound, fully vaccinated travellers, putting Canada’s policies behind the times.
On the petition page, the authors note that international research demonstrates pre-departure testing to be ineffective at stopping the spread of COVID.
At the same time, vaccination rates - upheld to be effective - are greater than 80 per cent in Canada and in any case, all Canadians must be fully vaccinated to even board an aircraft, making travel almost entirely vaccinated.
The petition also points out to Canada’s legislators that Canadian travellers abroad attempting to comply with testing requirements face problems like inaccurate test results, price gouging, and fraudulent and corrupt testing practices that make a mockery of - and even attempt to hold hostage - Canadian travellers attempting to follow the rules.
ACITA is asking for industry members and travel advisors to sign the petition, as well as for advisors to get their clients to also sign and add their voices to the initiative.
You can follow this link to the petition.
