Tourist Fee: $300 tax at Anse-Saint-Jean

The municipality of L'Anse-Saint-Jean in Saguenay is finally moving forward with its tourism royalty project and will now tax owners of tourist accommodations $300 per room.

After calling the municipal council on Monday evening, no one is getting the rule. No matter how many criticisms are received in the media, the election officials are moving forward.

Some employers believe that their reality is not being considered and would appreciate being consulted to offer possible solutions. “It is appalling that they have no knowledge about tourism and accommodation. With a lot of preconceived notions that we're rich, we make a lot of money, and we don't work, the rooms cost $100 a night. We spend 25, 30 dollars an hour to clean the rooms,” said Mario Dufour, owner of the 15-room Auberge des Cevennes.

The fee must finance tourism and sports infrastructure, including the Mont-Edouard ski resort, which is fully recovering after severe financial difficulties.

The person leading the fundraising campaign for the mountain believes the fee is inevitable. “If we want to build something, we have no choice, it hurts everybody a little bit. We can no longer tax the citizens,” said Jacques Chouinard.

Some employers find it unreasonable to pay this fee, which should mostly finance Mont-Edouard during the winter months when it is not operating.

The person in charge of the fundraising campaign pointed out that tourists from Mont-Edord are not the only ones visiting the municipality. “I was in the marina in the summer and tons of it happens. It consumes and creates waste. The municipality, when they take it to the landfill, it's by the ton,” says Jacques Chouinard.

Municipality Mayor Richard Peron explained that a working committee will be formed with two representatives from the hotel world. Terms may be amended. The elected official did not respond to interview requests from TVA Novelles.

The employers' group plans to verify the settlement with a lawyer to assess the possibility of launching a legal challenge.