Communiqué
- Ministry of Government Services
- Ministère des Services gouvernementaux
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For Immediate Release December 13, 2006 MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT PASSES BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTION Changes Cover Wide Range of Citizen Concerns QUEEN’S PARK — The McGuinty government has passed legislation that will strengthen protections against real estate fraud, provide powers to ban expiry dates on gift cards and amend the Liquor Licence Act to improve public safety and service delivery. “We are taking real action by moving on a wide range of consumer issues. Over the last few years, Ontario has become a leader in consumer protection, and we are building on this by enacting new laws and strengthening existing ones to protect the people of this province from the current realities of today’s marketplace,” said Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips. “The Consumer Protection and Service Modernization Act is part of our ongoing commitment to the people of Ontario.” Under the new legislation, the Land Titles Act will be amended to ensure that ownership of a property cannot be lost as a result of the registration of a falsified mortgage, fraudulent sale or a counterfeit power of attorney. Bill 152 also modifies the Land Titles Assurance Fund to ensure it is immediately responsive to each individual’s case that comes before it. For standard cases of fraud, title is returned and a decision on compensation is made within 90 days. The Consumer Protection and Service Modernization Act also amends the Liquor Licence Act to increase the investigative and enforcement powers of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Establishments will now also be able to have additional areas of their premises licensed to deter the risk of date rape drugs being slipped in unattended drinks. The legislation further protects consumers by giving the government the authority to eliminate expiry dates on gift cards. A recent study by Statistics Canada shows that eight in 10 large retailers were offering gift cards in 2005, up by 29 per cent from two years earlier. Other research by First Data has shown that demand for gift cards is strong, with 55 per cent of adult Canadians either purchasing or receiving a gift card in 2005. Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to move to regulate expiry dates on these cards. “This legislation is an important step forward on a number of fronts. Bill 152 guarantees further strong protections against real estate fraud so no property owners will lose their home as a result of real estate fraud, women will gain an additional tool to protect against the threat of date rape drugs in bars and shoppers will get full value from gift cards they purchase,” said Phillips. “It is all part of our plan to protect the people of Ontario – and to ensure that our government can deliver that protection as efficiently as possible.” Additional initiatives in the legislation include:
This legislation is another example of the McGuinty government ensuring the safety of Ontario families and preparing for the future challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Backgrounder: The Ministry of Government Services Consumer Protection and Service Modernization Act Contacts: Ciaran Ganley |