For Immediate Release
June 11, 2008

NEW PAYDAY LOANS ACT PROVIDES STRONGER PROTECTION

McGuinty Government Takes Action To Ban Controversial Lending Practices

In a continuing effort to protect Ontario consumers in need of short-term loans, the Act also includes an enforcement regime of inspections, prosecutions and licence suspensions, as well as an education campaign to help consumers make informed decisions. 

An independent advisory board of experts, business representatives and consumer advocates will examine the costs for payday loans and recommend a limit on the total cost of borrowing.

The Act requires:

• All payday lenders to be licensed
• Lenders to include all charges consumers are required to pay in the total cost of borrowing
• Lenders to allow borrowers to cancel payday loan agreements during a cooling-off period
• Operators to contribute to a public education fund on payday lending.

QUOTES

“This new Payday Loans Act is yet another important step the McGuinty government is taking to protect Ontario consumers,” said Ted McMeekin, Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

“This legislation will help shut the door on payday loan businesses that take advantage of poor families’ vulnerability,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Child and Youth Services.

 
QUICK FACTS

• A payday loan is a short-term high-interest loan, typically marketed as easy cash to cover costs until the borrower’s next payday
• There are between 600 and 700 payday loan operators in Ontario
• Payday loan users are younger than the general population and have average incomes ranging from $35,000 to $41,000. 

 

LEARN MORE

Read more about Ontario’s efforts to help protect consumers. www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection

Looking for advice on how to help manage your debt, visit www.creditcanada.com

Read more about Ontario’s payday lending industry at the Canadian Payday Loan Association’s website www.cpla-acps.ca

Backgrounder: Payday Loans Act, 2008 

Greg Dennis, Minister’s Office, 416-327-3072
Ciaran Ganley, Communications Branch, 416-325-8659