Poll shows that Canadians support New Democrat proposal to protect consumers

OTTAWA – A recent poll shows that while the Harper government continues to allow consumer gouging; an overwhelming majority of Canadians support the NDP’s proposed restrictions on the credit card industry.

According to the results of a poll conducted by the Environics Research Group, a whopping 82 per cent of Canadians with credit cards support tighter rules on the industry.

“Canadians are overwhelmingly in favour of tighter controls on credit cards,” said New Democrat Consumer Advocate Glenn Thibeault. “Why won’t this Federal government follow the will of its electorate and protect consumers from these predatory practices?”

The survey was commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) with information from 1,524 credit card holders.

News of this latest poll is just another example of the need to create a level playing field between consumers and credit card providers. Thibeault and the New Democrats are taking action on behalf of the hard-hit Canadian families through their creation of a consumer bill of rights.

“While banks and credit card companies are entitled to earn a fair profit, it shouldn’t be generated by ripping off consumers and forcing them into accepting higher interest rates and inexplicable fees,” said Thibeault. “Canadians should be able to understand their agreements and be empowered to control them―which is why I am putting forward a consumer bill of rights.”

Glenn Thibeault will be meeting with a number of consumer stakeholders in the coming weeks to finalize the tenets of his private member’s bill. The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, the Information Technology Association of Canada and the Rideau Institute are among some the groups he will meet.

“The Conservative government had a chance to stand up for Consumers, and they’ve shunned their responsibilities,” said Thibeault. “My bill would restore accountability to the credit industry and most importantly give cardholders the information and rights they deserve to make decisions about their own credit.”

Thibeault will also be consulting directly with Canadian consumers through the New Democrat’s Taskforce on the Middle Class. The taskforce will be traveling across Canada to hear from Canadians on how the recession is affecting their day-to-day lives.