Quebec’s Îles-de-la-Madeleine archipelago, known for its stunning landscapes and sandy beaches, will be introducing a $30 visitor fee starting next month. The fee, called Passe Archipel, aims to raise funds for tourist infrastructure, environmental protection, and waste management. Mayor Antonin Valiquette states that the fee is necessary due to the strain on local services caused by the large number of visitors to the islands each year, far exceeding the local population of approximately 13,000.
Some residents and visitors have expressed concerns about the new fee, with hotel owner Chanie Thériault calling it outrageous to require identification to leave one’s own town. Critics argue that the fee unfairly charges mainland Quebecers for using public resources that they have already paid for with their taxes. Former town councillor Suzie Leblanc is troubled by the impact of the fee on citizens’ mobility, describing it as a barrier to freedom of movement. However, Mayor Valiquette compares the visitor fee to tolls paid at the Confederation Bridge, stating that it is a necessary measure to support the island’s infrastructure.
The Passe Archipel will be payable through an online platform and validated with a QR code received by email. The fee applies to travelers aged 13 and older staying on the islands for more than 24 hours between May 1 and Oct. 14, with a cap of $100 for families. Island residents are exempt, but must provide proof of residence when leaving the islands. Second-home owners also have an exemption. While this is the first fee of its kind in Quebec, similar fees exist in other parts of the world, such as a day-tripper fee in Venice.
Dominic Lapointe, a professor specializing in urban studies and tourism, explains that popular destinations often struggle with balancing tourism and municipal resources. The Passe Archipel model aims to maintain accessibility to public facilities while sparing residents from direct fees on local services. There are doubts that the visitor fee will deter tourists, as bookings have not shown a recent decline. However, some, like Thériault, fear that this model could set a precedent for other municipalities in Quebec to impose similar measures on visitors.
The introduction of the Passe Archipel in Îles-de-la-Madeleine is part of a trend where municipalities seek to pass on infrastructure costs to tourists. This approach has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing concerns about the impact on visitors and residents. As the fee comes into effect, it remains to be seen how it will affect tourism on the islands and whether it will lead to similar measures being implemented in other parts of Quebec.
