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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Premier Selinger announces proposed new protections for families against false and misleading advertising on cars

December 3, 2012

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE NEW RULES THAT WOULD PROTECT MANITOBANS BUYING A VEHICLE

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Proposed Changes Would Provide Protection from Sticker Shock, False Advertising: Premier

The Manitoba government will ensure greater fairness for families with new protections against false and misleading advertising on cars, and will require dealers to use all-in pricing, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We want to ensure the price Manitobans see when they buy a vehicle is the price they pay,” said Selinger.  “Buying a car is an important and major purchase for Manitoba families and we want to protect them from paying more than the advertised price.”
The improved protections would:

• require advertised prices for vehicles to include all fees, charges, levies and taxes, unless the advertisement indicates PST and GST are not included;
• require vehicle advertisements for the current and previous model year to state if the vehicle is used; and
• prohibit false advertising and the providing of false information to consumer.

“These improved protections will also give us a broader range of tools for enforcement and give our Consumer Protection Office the authority to issue compliance orders and impose administrative penalties of up to $5,000 against dealers in violation of these new rules,” said Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau.
Rondeau noted the proposed advertising changes have support from the dealership industry and consumer-based organizations.
“This move will level the playing field and raise advertising standards for the entire industry,” said John Carey, past president of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association.  “This improved transparency has the full support of our organization.”
“CAA Manitoba gets several calls a day from Manitobans looking for advice about buying cars,” said Mike Mager, president and CEO of CAA Manitoba.  “These proposed rules will help ensure that consumers making one of the largest purchases of their lives are well-protected and informed.” 

This plan would protect consumers shopping for and purchasing motor vehicles are a key feature of Manitoba’s five-year plan for stronger consumer protections, the minister said.  Other initiatives under the plan include clearer rules for cell phone contracts, mandatory warranty on new homes, payday loan and debt settlement fee regulation, and protection for consumers related to car repairs.
In addition, the province is also proposing changes that would ban businesses from asking consumers to waive their consumer rights and give the Consumer Protection Office authority to issue consumer alerts about problem businesses when it is in the public interest.
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Global_Village Group News | LinkedIn

Ghana, one of the bastions of democracy on the African continent appears to be slipping and some Ghanians are calling for less corruption and more transparency in the government.

The U.S. anti-corruption Global Integrity Report recently stated in its findings that the country "has made no significant improvement on its anti-corruption agenda in the past year" and cited the lack of transparency of political funding as an issue.
Government’s "failure to implement a formal freedom of information regime or to exercise controls over the funding of political parties and candidates" was cited as a major challenge.
Read the article below by clicking on the link


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