OTCPK:CSUWF - Post Discussion
Post by
stayhumble1 on Jan 12, 2015 8:35am
Enercare Announcement today...
EnerCare Announces Coming into Force of the Stronger Protection for Ontario Consumers Act, 2013
07:48 EST Monday, January 12, 2015
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 12, 2015) - EnerCare Inc. (TSX:ECI) and EnerCare Solutions Inc. (collectively, "EnerCare") are pleased to announce that the amendments to the Consumer Protection Act (Ontario) pursuant to the Stronger Protection for Ontario Consumers Act, 2013 ("Bill 55") will come into force on April 1, 2015. EnerCare has been a strong supporter of the Ontario Government in its quest to substantially enhance protection for Ontario consumers with its introduction of Bill 55 and is pleased that Bill 55 will soon be in effect. Bill 55 is a direct response to aggressive and deceptive door-to-door water heater rental sales, which ranked second on the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services' consumer complaints list in each of 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Among other things, Bill 55 provides the following changes in respect of direct agreements for the supply of water heaters:
- Doubles the existing 10-day cooling-off period to 20 days, providing consumers with more time to consider their decision;
- Subject to certain exceptions including where the consumer initiates contact with the supplier, bans the delivery and installation of water heaters during the new 20-day cooling-off period; and
- Provides new consumer protection when the rules are not followed, such as requiring the supplier to reimburse the customer for all cancellation, return or removal fees when the 20-day cooling-off period is not observed.
Concurrently with the coming into force of Bill 55, new or amended regulations under the Consumer Protection Act (the "Regulations") are also to come into effect. Among other things, the Regulations require the following in respect of direct agreements for the supply of water heaters:
- Companies must confirm sales by making scripted and recorded telephone calls to the customer, subject to certain exceptions including where the consumer initiates contact with the supplier; and
- Enhanced disclosure, including the requirement to include mandatory cover pages and the comparable retail price, rental rate, total amounts payable under the contract and any termination charges.
"EnerCare applauds the Ontario government's commitment to enhancing consumer protection", said John Macdonald, President and CEO.
EnerCare believes that Bill 55 is a strong enhancement in consumer protection that will provide necessary protection for its customers and greatly assist with EnerCare's continued efforts to combat attrition in its water heater business. EnerCare is in the process of considering what changes will be required to its business practices as a result of the Regulations and the impact that those changes may have on its business.
Be the first to comment on this post