Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on March 18, 1994 with regard to advertising in Consumer Affairs. Madam Speaker, Consumer and Corporate Affairs develops, produces and disseminates information to the public on consumer-related matters, as departmental resources permit. The division also assists consumers through conciliation and
mediation in resolving complaints they may have with products or services purchased by them.
One way of disseminating information to the public is the development of tips sheets. Approximately 40 tips on various subjects of consumer interest, ranging from buying by mail to writing a complaint letter are available in English, Inuktitut and French. Should a situation arise that requires special attention, newspaper and radio interviews as well as CBC public service announcements are used. Production of a brochure entitled "Alert" covering a specific topic also allows the division to provide information to the public on time-sensitive issues.
A combination of these approaches was used most recently during an outbreak of telephone solicitations offering fabulous prizes in exchange for purchase of a small quantity of goods from southern telemarkets to residents of the Northwest Territories. A newsletter entitled "Northern Consumer" is produced and distributed every three months to over 600 subscribers, free of charge. The mailing list includes nursing stations, adult educators, schools, libraries, doctors offices, health clinics, and individuals in every community in the Northwest Territories. Northern Consumer deals with timely issues affecting the consumer, such as recalls, product information and warnings of any potential disreputable marketers.
The issue of price gouging is one that has been a concern for many years. In remote areas of the Northwest Territories, as elsewhere, businesses generally set a price for goods that the market will bear. While this practice would appear to be insensitive to the unique needs of northern communities, the territorial government has no regulatory authority to control, or in any way affect, the prices of consumer products, with the exception of liquor, charged the merchants in the Northwest Territories.
However, as Minister, I am always prepared to offer my assistance in trying to resolve consumer issues that are brought to my attention. Madam Speaker, I will be sending the Member a package of consumer information produced by the division under a separate cover. Thank you, Madam Speaker.