I’ve heard from many small business operators in our community that the cost associated with processing electronic payments continues to hamper the competitiveness of Canadian business.
I want to invite you to a special townhall meeting that I’m co-hosting with Glenn Thibeault (NDP MP from Sudbury and our Spokesperson for Consumer Protection) to discuss this matter.
Here are the details:
Thursday, January 24, 2013
3:00pm until 5:00pm
Vancouver Community College, 250 West Pender Street (at Hamilton), Room 112
Canadian merchants pay some of the highest credit card processing fees in the world. The average rate in Canada exceeds 2%. Meanwhile in Australia the average rate is approximately 1% and in the UK about 0.79%.
Ultimately this results in reduced profit margins for merchants and higher retail costs for consumers.
Please join us to discuss how we can act to ensure that Canadian small businesses and retailers are treated fairly by credit card companies.
Please let my office know of your attendance by January 18th via email to libby.davies.c1@parl.gc.ca
Libby