Press release | For immediate release
Montreal, July 6, 2020 - Option consommateurs expects the federal government to respond to travelers' repeated requests for refunds for canceled trips during its economic update scheduled for this Wednesday.
Now more than ever, the Trudeau government must intervene to force airlines to reimburse Canadian customers, as Air Canada recently announced that it would reimburse European travelers to comply with European Union regulations.
It's inconceivable that a Canadian company should reimburse foreign customers, but not those from its own country," says Christian Corbeil, General Manager ofOption consommateurs. If Air Canada can respect the laws of other countries, we don't understand why it can't respect Canadian laws.
Option consommateurs as well as other consumer associations and members of civil society, have repeatedly called on the government in recent weeks to force airlines to offer consumers the possibility of obtaining reimbursement for travel cancelled due to the pandemic. A motion was even passed unanimously in the National Assembly calling on the federal government to intervene.
Although several federal MPs from all parties have supported consumers' right to get their money back for services not rendered, at no time has Transport Minister Marc Garneau deigned to reply or send a simple acknowledgement of receipt to letters from associations representing consumers across the country.
"It makes you wonder whether the Minister is really listening to Canadian consumers, many of whom are experiencing financial difficulties, or whether he's just sensitive to the industry's grievances," says Corbeil.
A petition tabled in the House of Commons calling on the Trudeau government to intervene in this matter garnered over 32,000 signatures in just one month.
About Option consommateurs
Option consommateurs is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to defend the rights and interests of consumers. It is closely involved in issues related to personal finance, business practices, financial services, protection of personal information, energy, health and agri-food.
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For more information or an interview :
Marie-Ève Dumont, Communications Consultant
514-777-6133
