Our Conservative government is committed to ensuring that Canadians are getting what they pay for.
Our Fairness at the Pumps Act is now in force.
The Fairness at the Pumps Act is designed to place more responsibility on retailers in regard to the accuracy of their measuring devices.
“Canadian families expect that when they fuel up, they get what they pay for,” said James Moore, our government’s minister of industry. “The new rules coming into force will mean better protection for consumers when purchasing measured goods such as gasoline and groceries. Canadians expect their government to make decisions that put the interests of consumers first. These new measures will improve the bottom line for Canadian families and ensure that they are getting real value for their hard-earned dollars.”
The new regulations will give inspectors the proper enforcement tools to hold businesses accountable for the accuracy of the measuring devices used in their places of business, while increasing court-imposed fines under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act.
Fines have been raised to $10,000 (from $1,000) for minor offences and $25,000 (from $5,000) for major offences. A new fine of up to $50,000 for repeat offences has also been
introduced.
The Fairness at the Pump Act will protect consumers from inaccurate measuring devices and increased inspections will punish anyone applying unfair business practices.
Bruce Cran, president of the Consumers’ Association of Canada, agrees, saying: “The Consumers’ Association of Canada supports this new federal legislation, which is a much-needed step in the right direction, and applauds Minister Moore’s action on this file. The Fairness at the Pumps Act will help make sure Canadians get what they pay for.”
