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Andrew Cash, federal NDP candidate for Davenport welcomed NDP Consumer Protection Critic & MP for Sudbury, Glenn Thibeault to the Abbey Pub on College for an info session on fighting credit card fees.

Thibeault put forward a motion in the House of Commons to protect consumers from the abusive practices of credit card companies. Nine months after the motion passed the Conservatives have yet to recognize the will of the House of Commons, or the 80 percent of Canadians who want to see the reforms implemented.

In the meantime, Thibeault is touring around Ontario, giving talks to let consumers know that they have more control than they might realize to fight fees. With the economic decline of the past year and a half, Thibeault has heard plenty of stories from Canadians who, unable to meet their payments as usual, are finding unexpected changes to their monthly bills, and they just don’t know what to do. Although credit card companies outline their practices in the fine print of their contract, many people are still unaware of the various changes that can occur depending on payment behaviours. With so many different credit cards available and companies target marketing to the vulnerable (seniors, students, lower income families) it’s no wonder there is so much confusion as to which company to sign with, and whether or not to buy their insurance, etc. And, what happens when a loss of income means payments are missed? Fees go up, spending limits go down. Sometimes it can just take one phone call to adjust the fees.

Thibeault gave assurances that he and the NDP will continue to hold the Conservative government responsible to enact the new legislature into law, and handed out information – which you can find here – about how to start the conversation with credit card companies so that they remain fair to individual needs.

For more information please visit www.ndp.ca