The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Air Canada is telling travel agents it will reduce their commissions in a cost-cutting move that could hurt the income of thousands of industry workers. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says the country's biggest carrier told the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors the lower rates will take effect July 1. "While the impact will vary by business, some members have indicated that the changes could have serious implications for the long-term viability of their agencies, particularly where Air Canada represents a substantial portion of their sales," said association president Suzanne Acton-Gervais in statement. The group's thousands of members could see a loss of about a quarter of Air Canada-related revenue as a result, Ms. Acton-Gervais said. Canada plays host to nearly 27,000 travel agents. Brenda Slater, co-founder of the Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors, said many of her counterparts have seen Air Canada commissions cut in half to 3 to 5 per cent, and sometimes lower. "For them to basically say, well, now we're only going to give you 3 per cent is a little bit of a smack," Ms. Slater told The Globe.