Mr. Ed Holder (London West, CPC): Mr. Speaker, small
businesses in my riding are concerned about the practices of credit
card companies.
Small
businesses, including those in London, are just looking for
fairness.
They want the
freedom to choose which card networks they use, so they can control
their costs and pass the savings onto their customers.Having competitive businesses keeps and creates jobs.
My
observation in this House is that the Conservatives are the only
ones talking about what matters to these job-creators in London and
across Canada – and that’s the economy.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary please inform the House what the
Government is doing to help small businesses today?
Ted Menzies (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, small businesses play a vital role in Canada’s economy
and job creation.
When small business raises concerns, we listen to them. Today
we released a Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card
Industry. The code will encourage choice and competition.
Help prevent unfair business practices. And help protect
businesses from rising costs. T
he credit and debit card industry has until May 17 to adopt this
Code.
If they don’t voluntarily, our Government will take action to
regulate them through legislative authority in Bill C-9.
