Consumer Research Post

New Brunswick Creating Consolidated Commission to Strengthen Consumer Protection

The provincial government is establishing a single, independent financial services regulatory agency to strengthen consumer protection in New Brunswick. The commission will be dedicated to consumer protection and regulatory oversight. It will be responsible for the current mandate of the New Brunswick Securities Commission and will include responsibility for consumer affairs, credit unions, caisses populaires, co-operatives, trust companies, insurance, pensions and enforcement. In addition, it will provide for an independent hearing tribunal.

Posted on May 28, 2013

Harper Government Announces Safe Food For Canadians Action Plan

The Action Plan aims to further improve Canada’s food safety system by strengthening food safety rules, more effective inspection, a renewed commitment to service and more information for consumers. Through the Action Plan, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will launch a number of significant food safety enhancements over the next two years. Most notably, the CFIA will work with consumer groups and industry to develop new regulations that will bring into force the Safe Food for Canadians Act, passed in November 2012.

Posted on May 28, 2013

Alberta Government Clarifies Law to Help Bare Land Condo Owners

A recent Court of Queen’s Bench decision determined that the current Condominium Property Act does not give bare land condominium corporations the authority to collect fees or use reserve funds for expenses related to repairing and maintaining managed property. As a result, corporations may have to finance expenses for managed property, potentially exposing unit owners to large special assessments to cover the costs. Bill 24, the Statutes Amendment Act, clarifies the Condominium Property Act to allow bare land condominium corporations to collect fees and use their reserve funds to maintain, repair and replace managed property if their bylaws allow it. The change impacts approximately 1,300 corporations with 40,000 owners.

Posted on May 28, 2013

Emerging trends: What will be the big changes to impact on the consumer movement?

Every year Consumers International undertakes a process to identify consumer issues which could become future priorities for them and their member organizations. A number of these emerging issues are discussed in the April 29, 2013 edition of the Consumers International Blog.

Posted on May 28, 2013

FCAC's Financial Literacy Newsletter

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has published the May 2013 edition of its' Financial Literacy Newsletter. This newsletter showcases financial literacy initiatives put forward by the public, private and community sectors in Canada and at the international level.

Posted on May 28, 2013