Consumer ministers meet in Winnipeg

Government Services and Lands Minister Dianne Whalen said consumer ministers made significant strides toward protecting consumers during a meeting in Winnipeg on Friday.

This was Minister Whalen�s first meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers for consumer affairs. She said this ministerial cooperation has strengthened and expanded consumer protection in this country.

"A massive amount of work has been done to protect Canadians. Much work is left to be done, but I believe the provinces working together is the right approach," said the minister.

The ministers endorsed the Canadian Code of Practice in Electronic Commerce. The code sets out good business practices for merchants conducting business on-line.

An area of particular concern to the public is identity theft. The ministers agreed on the importance of giving consumers the most reliable and complete information on how to reduce the risk of being victimized. To that end, a consumer information kit has been developed for use in all provinces. It can be found at //cmcweb.ca.

Another emerging consumer issue is the excessive cost and possibility for abusive practices in the short-term credit market, which includes payday lenders and cheque-cashing outlets. A committee of ministers has been set up to deal with that issue and report back to the next meeting of consumer ministers, scheduled for fall 2004 in Quebec City.

Other issues to be discussed in further detail in Quebec City include:

� model legislation to protect consumers and resolve disputes in cross-border transactions;
� allow consumers of distance sales (mail order or by telephone) to reverse credit card charges if a merchant fails to meet certain obligations;
� a coordinated approach to ensuring consumer protection in the rapidly changing travel industry.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860

2004 01 19                                      3:30 p.m.