Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on May 12, 2011, to the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, regarding the office of consumer affairs.
The first request was for MACA to provide information, other than the MACA website, as to how the department publicly promotes the office of consumer affairs, along with the office’s mandate.
MACA maintains partnerships and working relationships with other Canadian jurisdictions in many of our areas of responsibility. In the case of consumer protection, we actively work with the Consumer Measures Committee. This committee is representative of all Canadian jurisdictions and the federal government, and was established to facilitate a forum for the harmonization of consumer laws and as a mechanism to promote joint educational activities.
This has allowed the Government of the Northwest Territories to access materials cooperatively produced, such as the Canadian Consumer Handbook, materials related to identity theft, and most recently, a range of consumer information specifically directed to youth and seniors. Such information, when obtained, is distributed to libraries and health centres in the Northwest Territories. As well, information is available by request from MACA offices to NWT consumers.
MACA has also participated in the development of a Canadian web portal to help individuals find the
right government agency to best address their concerns. This portal is located at www.consumerinformation.ca. The Canadian Consumer Information Gateway gives consumers the tools they need to make informed decisions, safe and healthy product choices, alerts consumers to recalls and scams, and provides contacts to seek recourse on a range of consumer related issues. The NWT is represented on this system on a government-wide basis so departments with other consumer related mandates are also included.
Question two asked for the number of complaints or inquiries this office has had over the past two years, and question three asked for a summary of these complaints or inquiries for the past two years, along with any recommendations and actions taken.
I have provided Mr. Hawkins with written information in response to questions two and three, and this information can be summarized as follows:
• In the last two years, MACA has addressed 14
written consumer complaints: 10 from Yellowknife residents, two from Fort McPherson residents, one from a resident of Fort Simpson, and one from a resident of Inuvik.
• Of the 14 complaints received, two were from
auto repair companies, two were from a transportation company, two were from an Internet-based service, two were from a recreational vehicle dealership, one was from a national advertising company, one was from a national auto financing company, one was from a Canadian vehicle manufacturer, one was from a propane supply company, one was from a general store, and one was from a plumbing and heating company.
• Of the 14 complaints received, the resolution
ranges from the business responding favourably, to the issue being resolved between the company and the complainant, to the company not responding and no further action being taken.
