The federal government has announced that it will develop regulations requiring Canadian air carriers to include all fees and taxes in advertised ticket prices.
“Our government is committed to enhancing consumer protection while promoting fair competition by ensuring greater transparency of advertised airfares for Canadian travellers,” Steven Fletcher, minister of state for transport, said in a statement.
“This will allow consumers to easily determine the full cost of airfares in order to make informed choices.”
Clause 27 of An Act to Amend the Canada Transportation Act and the Railway Safety Act and to Make Consequential Amendments to Other Acts came into force today.
The clause paves the way to the develop regulations requiring a carrier to include in the price advertised all costs to the carrier of providing the service and to indicate in the advertisement all fees, charges and taxes related to the service.
The government estimates it will take a year to create the regulations.
Other jurisdictions have started regulating how airlines advertise ticket prices. The European Parliament has had legislation in effect since 2008.
The United States will soon require all-in airfare advertising; the changes are scheduled to come into effect on January 24, 2012.
Jenny Wagler
@JennyWagler_BIV