Money Mart has voluntarily suspended a controversial pilot program that saw the company offer 50 cents on the dollar for gift cards, Ontario Government and Consumer Services Minister David Orazietti says.
“The ministry is looking into this issue further and will examine if there needs to be increased regulation around the re-selling of gift cards,” Orazietti said in a statement Friday. “Our government wants to ensure Ontarians enjoy a high standard of consumer protection.”
Ontario New Democrats raised the issue during Question Period Thursday, concerned that vulnerable people would be tempted to sell food and other types of gift cards for 50% of their value in cash.
NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh told the Ontario Legislature that charities are increasingly handing out gift cards to clients to purchase holiday presents
and groceries.
“Giving gift cards is a more dignified approach to helping these vulnerable people so they don’t have to line up at food banks or at Christmas hamper programs,” Singh said. “But there is a Grinch out there trying to steal Christmas.”
The NDP spotted a new sign advertising the offer at a Money Mart in Hamilton.
A public relations firm representing Money Mart could not immediately be reached Friday.
After learning of the policy change, Singh said he was glad that public pressure “forced Money Mart to do the right thing.”
https://www.torontosun.com/2014/12/05/money-mart-suspends-controversial-gift-card-purchase-service
“The ministry is looking into this issue further and will examine if there needs to be increased regulation around the re-selling of gift cards,” Orazietti said in a statement Friday. “Our government wants to ensure Ontarians enjoy a high standard of consumer protection.”
Ontario New Democrats raised the issue during Question Period Thursday, concerned that vulnerable people would be tempted to sell food and other types of gift cards for 50% of their value in cash.
NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh told the Ontario Legislature that charities are increasingly handing out gift cards to clients to purchase holiday presents
and groceries.
“Giving gift cards is a more dignified approach to helping these vulnerable people so they don’t have to line up at food banks or at Christmas hamper programs,” Singh said. “But there is a Grinch out there trying to steal Christmas.”
The NDP spotted a new sign advertising the offer at a Money Mart in Hamilton.
A public relations firm representing Money Mart could not immediately be reached Friday.
After learning of the policy change, Singh said he was glad that public pressure “forced Money Mart to do the right thing.”
https://www.torontosun.com/2014/12/05/money-mart-suspends-controversial-gift-card-purchase-service
