© Les Chèvres de montagne_Yan Kaczynski
Quality-Safety certification objectives
This certification program is a concrete answer to certain recommendations made by coroner Andrée Kronström following the death of the young Raphaël Bernier during a canoe trip in 2002:
- Establish a risk management guide
- Require technical training for guides
- Set up a business inspection mechanism
- Ensure that certified businesses uphold AEQ standards
© Kinadapt_Maxime Doré
A rigorous, thought-out approach
The certification program includes some sixty generic standards, in addition to standards specific to each activity offered. It is regularly amended to factor in developments in our activity sector. Our standards are developed by advisory committees composed of business managers and experts from the outdoor sector (e.g., outdoor federations and discipline specialists). The criteria must be agreed upon and then approved by the Board of Directors of Aventure Écotourisme Québec.
Who can obtain Quality-Safety certification?
The standards for this certification are among the most stringent in our industry, particularly in terms of risk management, emergency measures, guide training and supervision ratios. They are also the cornerstone of the liability insurance program made accessible to certified members of Aventure Écotourisme Québec, in collaboration with Essor Assurances.
Earning Quality-Safety certification demonstrates your commitment to an exemplary level of professionalism—which we help businesses achieve thanks to our support services, tools and team of certification advisors.
Examples of eligible organizations:
- Adventure tourism businesses that offer guided tours (e.g., dog sledding, mountain hiking, rafting)
- Organizations offering outdoor-activity training (e.g., outdoor climbing courses, mountain biking instruction)
- Tour operators offering adventure tourism, primarily in Quebec (e.g., sea kayaking trip on the Saguenay Fjord)
Examples of ineligible organizations:
- Businesses or organizations that offer products unrelated to adventure tourism
- Outfitters, in the case of hunting and fishing activities only
- Regional parks
- Non-outdoor summer camps
- Ski resorts offering activities related to their vocation (e.g., mountain biking, off-trail skiing)
- Lodging establishments that provide access to self-guided outdoor activities (e.g., hiking trails, boats for water sports)
- Businesses and organizations offering very low-risk activities (e.g., hiking on an easy trail with few or no obstacles, where individuals can receive emergency services in less than one hour)
Complying with the standards without becoming an AEQ member
If you’d like your adventure tourism business to comply with the certification standards to be eligible for financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism without becoming an AEQ member, start out with filling this form (select “Non-member” at the end). This process is free, in accordance with our agreement with the Ministry. Your application for financial assistance will be processed by the Ministry once we have receveived all your documents.
© Fondation sur la Pointe des pieds_Charles-David Robitaille
© Fondation sur la Pointe des pieds_Charles-David Robitaille