|
PORT COQUITLAM, British Columbia — The Honourable
Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced that the
Government of Canada has taken measures to protect Canadian
consumers from inaccurate measurement when purchasing gasoline
or other measured goods. The proposed Fairness at the Pumps Act
will make retailers more accountable for the accuracy of their
pumps and other measuring devices.
“When Canadians pull into a station to gas up, they want to know
that what’s on the pump is what’s in the tank,” said
Minister Clement. “The proposed Fairness at the Pumps Act gives
businesses strong incentives to ensure the accuracy of their
devices and will save Canadians millions of dollars annually.”
The proposed Fairness at the Pumps Act would increase retailer
accountability for measuring device accuracy by requiring that
they have devices such as gas pumps and retail food scales
inspected at regular intervals. Additionally, increased
court-imposed fines of up to $10 000 for minor offences and
$25 000 for major offences, as well as a new fine of up to
$50 000 for repeat offences, are proposed in combination with
the introduction of a system of administrative monetary
penalties to ensure appropriate deterrence against measurement
inaccuracy.
The new act also proposes the creation of a system of authorized
service providers, trained and certified by Measurement Canada,
to perform inspections. The proposed use of non-government
inspectors to fulfill mandatory inspection requirements would
create or expand business opportunities in communities, as well
as allow Measurement Canada to leverage its resources to improve
measurement accuracy and raise consumer confidence in the
marketplace.
Under the Fairness at the Pumps Act, Measurement Canada
inspectors would continue to assess the accuracy of measurement
devices through independent inspections, as well as respond to
complaints of inaccurate measure and perform follow-up
inspections of non-government inspectors. Measurement Canada
inspectors would be solely responsible for taking enforcement
actions when offences are identified.
“Consumer confidence in the accuracy of measurement-based
transactions directly affects Canada’s economic health,” added
Minister Clement. “The proposed act means Canadian consumers
will be protected against unfair business practices and can be
more confident in everyday transactions that involve
measurement.”
|
|
