The organization which represents lodge owners in Manitoba is calling for new regulations and standards in the province for people who rent out their homes and cottages through sites like Airbnb.
The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association is hoping to get the message out this Saturday, by asking member business to participate in a one-day strike and deny the sale of provincial park passes and fishing licenses.
MLOA executive director Paul Turenne said the province has turned a blind eye to private accommodation rentals, and it’s hurting the tourism industry.
The group isn’t opposed to private rentals, but it wants changes.
"Ultimately level the playing field,” said Turenne. “We don't have a silver bullet solution for them (the province) for what that looks like. We'd definitely like them to do a jurisdictional scan and take a look at what other cities, other provinces and other countries are doing."
"If you’re going to run your cottage or condo as a business, then it should be treated like a business.”
Turenne said the organization is concerned Airbnb hosts and other private accommodation providers are not required to follow the same rules as licensed operators of lodges, hotels and certified bed and breakfasts.
"That's largely under the table, that's largely a cash business,” said Turenne. “If you rent a cottage for $600 a week…usually you're not getting a receipt, usually you're not paying taxes on that."
Turenne said registered accommodation providers have to comply with provincial and municipal regulations and must also collect and remit taxes.
Jenny Dupas and her husband got into the bed and breakfast business six years ago.
The couple had to get their property just south of Whitemouth near Whiteshell Provincial Park rezoned from residential to commercial, they must undergo inspections and collect provincial sales tax on rentals of their five bedroom guest house.
"It all adds up and so when there's other individuals renting their properties that takes away from us," said Dupas. "They're not regulated. So you don't know if it's safe for the public and as well it takes business away from those who are following the rules."
"If their rate is a little bit less than ours, or comparable, then they (guests) more or likely would go to that location.”
MLOA said it’s difficult to say for certain if businesses like Airbnb are cutting in on the profits of licensed operators but Turenne pointed to a recent Statistics Canada report which found Canadians spent $367 million on private accommodation services within Canada between November 2015 and October 2016.
In a statement, Alex Dagg with Airbnb said the company is committed to working with communities across Canada, including Manitoba, to develop smart, easy-to follow regulations.
"Manitoba is the home of many responsible Airbnb hosts who share their homes a few nights each month in order to make ends meet," said Dagg. "We have agreements in more than 350 jurisdictions globally to collect and remit hotel taxes on behalf of our hosts and guests."
“Our experience with governments around the world, from Sweden to New Orleans, makes us confident that we can develop fair solutions that address Manitoba’s public policy goals.”
A Manitoba government spokesperson said the province doesn’t have jurisdiction to create such regulations because zoning laws which govern Airbnb is a municipal matter.
In a statement, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox said under lease agreements in provincial parks, cottages may not be rented out through Airbnb without written permission from parks management.
“While our government values the important role of our lodges and outfitters and their support of the tourism sector, this strike seems to be misguided and wrongly aimed at the province,” said Cox.
Turenne said ultimately it will be up to member businesses whether to deny the sale of park passes and fishing licenses.
He said at the very least, members who choose to post signs within their properties on Saturday could have a conversation with guests about the issue.
