The new act will consolidate the intent of six current acts which will be repealed. These include the Trade Practices Act, the Direct Sellers Act, the Unsolicited Goods and Credit Cards Act, the Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, the Unconscionable Transactions Relief Act and the Consumer Protection Act as well as the Bill 4 entitled the Cost of Consumer Credit Disclosure Act and the Consumer Reporting Agencies Regulations which were passed in the House of Assembly last spring but were not proclaimed.

"The new Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act is modernized and efficient and provides consumers with one piece of legislation for information on interactions with businesses," said the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Government Services. "This new act also recognizes that the way people conduct their business has changed over the years. Consumers who prefer to complete their transactions through the Internet or other distance sales contracts completed via television or telephone will now have increased protection."

The new act will also benefit the business community.

"The new Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act also clearly outlines the duties for businesses as suppliers of goods and services which should ensure easier compliance and enforcement," said Minister O�Brien.

Other provinces are also moving towards consolidating various acts into one, concise piece of legislation. So far Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario have introduced similar acts.

- 30 -