Press Room
Federal Budget
Option consommateurs asks government to protect the purchasing power of consumers
Ottawa, January 13th, 2009 –
Option consommateurs, the Montreal-based consumer rights organisation will be presenting their recommendations for the federal budget to Conservative James Rajotte at his invitation on Parliament Hill today.
In their submission Option consommateurs will call on the government to protect the purchasing power of consumers by allocating three billion dollars in income stabilising measures as part of a larger economic stimulus package. “The government needs to protect the purchasing power of consumers especially that of the vulnerable” said Anu Bose, Head of the Ottawa office of Option consommateurs.
The organisation wants to see the GST credit doubled, an increase in the GIS for seniors and a rise in benefits and extension of the benefit period for EI. “In a recession Canadians is money in their pockets so that they can go out and spend and so boost demand”. US experience has shown that consumers prefer to either pay down debts or bolster their savings with tax rebates. “Targeted government spending is the only way to halt economic decline” she continued.
The organization intends to meet with representatives of the Official Opposition and the other opposition parties in the days leading up to the federal budget to ensure that all the parties are aware of the needs of consumers during the current recession.
Option consommateurs is a Montreal-based not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of consumers and ensure that they are respected. It was founded in 1983. Option consommateurs is involved in over thirty class-action suits. It has developed a special expertise in energy, agrifoods, financial services and commercial practices.
Anu Bose PhD
Head of Ottawa Office
Option Consommateurs
613 244-2111
In their submission Option consommateurs will call on the government to protect the purchasing power of consumers by allocating three billion dollars in income stabilising measures as part of a larger economic stimulus package. “The government needs to protect the purchasing power of consumers especially that of the vulnerable” said Anu Bose, Head of the Ottawa office of Option consommateurs.
The organisation wants to see the GST credit doubled, an increase in the GIS for seniors and a rise in benefits and extension of the benefit period for EI. “In a recession Canadians is money in their pockets so that they can go out and spend and so boost demand”. US experience has shown that consumers prefer to either pay down debts or bolster their savings with tax rebates. “Targeted government spending is the only way to halt economic decline” she continued.
The organization intends to meet with representatives of the Official Opposition and the other opposition parties in the days leading up to the federal budget to ensure that all the parties are aware of the needs of consumers during the current recession.
Option consommateurs is a Montreal-based not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of consumers and ensure that they are respected. It was founded in 1983. Option consommateurs is involved in over thirty class-action suits. It has developed a special expertise in energy, agrifoods, financial services and commercial practices.
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Anu Bose PhD
Head of Ottawa Office
Option Consommateurs
613 244-2111
