January 9, 2013

PROVINCE TO REVIEW RULES FOR GIFT CARDS TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT MANITOBA FAMILIES: RONDEAU

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Manitobans Asked to Comment on Gift Card Fees, Expiry Dates, Disclosure Requirements

The province is asking for input on gift card legislation to ensure continued fairness and protection for Manitoba families, Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.
“Our province is recognized as a leader in consumer protection,” said Rondeau.  “We want to hear from Manitobans to ensure our strong rules continue to meet their needs and reflect changes in the marketplace.”
The province’s Consumer Protection Office review of gift card legislation will determine whether adjustments are needed to ensure Manitoba’s consumer protection remains strong, the minister said.
Information on how the public can provide input is available at:  www.gov.mb.ca/cca/cpo/gc_public_consultation.html.
The province made changes to the Consumer Protection Act in 2007.  These changes focused on protecting Manitoba families from prohibitive fees and expiry dates on their gift certificates and gift cards, and requires suppliers to clearly communicate information with consumers about fees and expiry dates.
The federal government recently announced a new draft regulation regarding prepaid credit cards.  The proposed prepaid products regulations would require prominent disclosure of fees in connection with the cards and prohibit expiry dates on most cards.  Manitoba has forwarded a detailed response to the federal government in the hope it will follow the provincial lead in providing the same level of protection that Manitoba has enjoyed since 2007, said Rondeau.
This review is part of the province’s ongoing commitment to protect Manitoba families and ensure fairness in the marketplace, he said.  As part of a wider strategy, the government has introduced:

• rules that are more clear for cellphone contracts,
• tougher rules for payday lending and debt settlement, and
• safeguards against unfair car repair bills.

This past fall, the province also introduced legislation aimed at protecting Manitoba families purchasing newly constructed homes and buying vehicles. 
Group or individual submissions can be sent to consumers@gov.mb.ca or the Consumer Protection Office, Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs, 302-258 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB  R3C 0B6.

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September 16, 2009

REVIEW OF GIFT CARD LEGISLATION COMPLETE: WOWCHUK


Following input from Manitobans, consumer organizations and business, there will be no change to provincial legislation prohibiting expiry dates and fees on most gift cards, Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.

“The mandatory review of Manitoba’s gift card regulation has been completed and it has been determined that no changes are needed to the legislation at this time,” said Wowchuk. “There will be another review in three years.”

Since Manitoba brought in the regulation, several other provincial jurisdictions have introduced their own gift card requirements. The commitment to a further review will allow government to monitor and compare Manitoba’s legislation to other jurisdictions.

Another review in three years will provide an opportunity to identify and explore opportunities to harmonize requirements between jurisdictions while still maintaining high levels of consumer protection, said Wowchuk.

In November 2007, the Manitoba government made changes to the Consumer Protection Act to better protect consumers when purchasing gift cards and certificates. The regulation on gift cards and certificates contains a requirement the changes be reviewed within 18 months of their effective date.

The regulation prohibits:
· a supplier from charging a fee for a gift card except in limited circumstances, such as to customize it or to replace a lost or stolen card, or if the card can be used to purchase goods or services at multiple unaffiliated sellers and has been inactive for 12 months; and
· expiry dates, except if the card is for a specific good or service or the card was issued at no cost.

The regulation also requires the supplier to ensure that information on the use of the card is clearly communicated to the card holder.

Comment
Good move. This legislation is long overdue. I could never why there is an expiry date on money. A gift card was purchased with cash then there should be no expiry date. If the product price has increased then so be in let the person pay extra. If the business went out of business then that's where the problem comes in.