Starting next month, visitors to Quebec’s Îles-de-la-Madeleine will have to pay a $30 visitor fee to raise funds for tourist infrastructure, environmental protection, and waste management. This fee, called the Passe Archipel, will be mandatory for all domestic and international travellers who stay on the islands for more than 24 hours between May 1 and Oct. 14. Failure to comply may result in a $1,000 fine. The mayor of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Antonin Valiquette, believes the fee is necessary due to the strain tourists are putting on local services and municipal revenue. The islands saw a population of roughly 13,000 residents but welcomed five times as many visitors between May and October 2023.
Some islanders are concerned that the introduction of the visitor fee may impede the freedom of Quebecers and other Canadians to travel within their own country. Local hotel owner Chanie Thériault expressed outrage at the fee, especially because it charges mainland Quebecers for using public resources partially financed by the provincial government. Suzie Leblanc, a former town councillor, sympathizes with the municipality’s budgetary challenges but is disturbed by the implications of the Passe Archipel rules for citizens’ mobility. Despite opposition, Valiquette likens the visitor fee to the toll drivers pay to cross the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and P.E.I., stating that it is a necessary measure.
The Passe Archipel will be payable through an online platform and certified with a QR code that visitors will receive by email. Island residents are exempt from the fee but must provide proof of residence when leaving the islands. The fee only applies to travellers who are at least 13 years old and is capped at $100 for families. The fee also has exceptions for second-home owners. While this visitor fee is a first in Quebec, similar fees exist in other parts of the world. Despite concerns about the fee spreading to other municipalities, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine tourism board has not observed a drop in bookings since the implementation of the Passe Archipel.
Overall, the introduction of the visitor fee has sparked controversy among locals. While some argue that it is necessary to maintain the islands’ infrastructure and preserve its quality as a tourist destination, others feel that it infringes on the freedom of movement of residents and visitors. The fee is seen as a way to balance the impact of tourism on municipal resources while maintaining accessibility to public facilities. Experts believe that the fee will not deter tourists from visiting the islands, citing similar models in other popular destinations. Despite concerns about the precedent set by the Passe Archipel, the tourism board has not seen a decrease in bookings, indicating that visitors are still interested in experiencing the beauty of Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
