CITQ tourist accommodation registration

In Quebec, operating a tourist accommodation establishment, such as a hotel, inn or bed-and-breakfast, is subject to registration with the Minister. The Corporation de l’industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ) publishes the registration process, and the Act allows an organization the Minister recognizes to carry out registration. A buyer meets this before closing, because the registration cannot be assigned.

What the Act says

• Registration takes the form of a certificate issued by the Minister (s. 6.1), and the operator must file a renewal request with an update declaration once a year (s. 20).
• No one may assign the registration of a tourist accommodation establishment (s. 7).
• The Minister keeps a public register showing each establishment’s category, registration number, certificate dates and status: in force, expired, suspended or cancelled (s. 21.1).
• When the type or number of accommodation units changes, the operator must send the Minister a document from a competent authority showing the operation does not breach municipal land-use by-laws on use (s. 19).

What to check or ask

Look up the establishment in the public register and ask the seller for the current certificate. Ask the Ministry or the CITQ how the buyer registers as the new operator. The CITQ says the certificate must be displayed where tourists can see it at the main entrance. The hotel and motel buyer checklist covers wider checks; see also short-term rental licence.