PRESS REVIEW OF INTERVENTIONS BY THE CÖTE-DE-GASPÉ CHAMBER
-12-11 - Radio Canada - audio interview - En direct à Bon pied, bonne heure - PAAR bonus: chambers of commerce wanted more
2024-12-11- Radio Canada - audio - En direct à Bon pied, bonne heure - Air transportation assistance seen as a major step forward https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2126073/programme-aerien-transport-avion-vol-paar
2024-12-10 - Le Soleil - A version 2.0 of the $500 air ticket program
"The general manager of the La Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce, Marie-Claude Brière, says she is generally happy with the changes made by Quebec, but would have liked more latitude for smaller SMEs, like most of those in her territory. According to a recent member survey, 71% of businesses in the MRC had fewer than 10 employees in 2024."
2024-12-10 - La Voix de l'Est - A version 2.0 of the $500 air ticket program
2024-12-10 - The Daily - Version 2.0 of the $500 air ticket program
--------------------
The Chambre de commerce de La Côte-de-Gaspé (CCCG), the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Baie-des-Chaleurs (CCIBDC) and the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) welcome the new version of the Regional Air Access Program (RAAP) presented in Gaspé on December 10 by Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault and Yves Demontigny, MNA for René-Lévesque and Chairman of the Standing Committee. The measures announced will simplify the task for users, and the addition of certain user groups will make it possible to increase the additional volume demanded by airlines in order to maintain a competitive offer in the region. The CCCG is still waiting to hear about the offer to small businesses and the presentation of a global strategy for regional air transport involving the federal government.
"This new version is a good step forward and responds to our requests to include NPOs in the offer, but would have liked more latitude for smaller companies. The majority of the Chamber's members are very small businesses; in 2024, 70% of our CCCG member companies had fewer than 10 employees", Marie-Claude Brière, General Manager of the Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce,
The changes announced, such as opening the program to all intra-regional and inter-regional routes, access to reduced fares for NPOs and the possibility of purchasing tickets up to six months in advance, respond to long-standing requests from the Fédération québécois des Chambres de commerces (FCCQ), which sits on the Standing Committee on behalf of the Chambers. On the other hand, the measures announced do not encourage more people, particularly the business community, to use this mode of transport.
"Giving entrepreneurs access to the PAAR would stimulate business travel, raise the profile of our companies and facilitate travel to all regions of Quebec. If the government wants to strengthen regional economic development, it must facilitate access to the regions, particularly through regional air transport," says Véronique Proulx, President and CEO of the FCCQ.
There are also concerns about the replacement of the $500 ticket with discounts ranging from 50% to 85%. While this new format could benefit the regions, the FCCQ and La Chambre de commerce de La Côte-de-Gaspé fear that these changes will make certain destinations more expensive, which could discourage users. If many fares were to exceed the fixed price of $500, it would be difficult to revitalize the program and, de facto, regional air travel.
It's also important to mention that the federal government has a role to play in enabling carriers to maintain competitive prices. The most recent example is the new fee charged to carriers for each complaint handled by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). This type of cumulative cost makes it difficult for carriers to lower their fares, and ultimately, travellers are the ones who pay the price.
A global strategy awaited
The FCCQ published a brief last week in conjunction with the tabling of the government's forthcoming Strategy for Quebec Aviation, long-awaited by the airline industry. The sector is facing a number of related challenges, such as airport infrastructure modernization and labor shortages, to name but a few.
"Decisions on this issue should always prioritize one objective: to obtain competitively priced tickets, without compromising carrier profitability and route frequency. The more passengers there are on regular flights, the more regional air transport will contribute to the growth of Quebec and its regions," Véronique Proulx concluded.
#LaForceuRéseau #PrèsPourVrai
------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
"Air travel at the best price, anywhere in Quebec".
DETAILS OF THE REGIONAL AIR ACCESS PROGRAM (PAAR)
About the La Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce
The Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce (CCCG) is a voluntary group of businesses and organizations that wish to pool their efforts and have a voice to represent them. A non-profit organization, the CCCG is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors appointed annually by its members. The CCCG's mission is to represent the interests of its members (over 200 in 2024) and to bring together, support and serve its members and partners through actions adapted to the socio-economic reality of the La Côte-de-Gaspé territory (Cloridorme, Grande-Vallée, Petite-Vallée, Murdochville and Gaspé). #EconomieCôteDeGaspé
About the Baie-des-Chaleurs Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The CCIBDC represents nearly 400 members in the Avignon and Bonaventure MRCs. Its mission is to mobilize the business community to create a dynamic and sustainable economic vitality by offering networking services, skills enhancement and access to business opportunities.
About the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ)
With its 120 chambers of commerce and nearly 1,000 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents more than 40,000 businesses operating in all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec. The largest network of business people and companies in Quebec, the FCCQ is both a federation of chambers of commerce and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members, whether chambers or companies, all pursue the same goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.
devenir%20membre%20(1).png)