Manitoba is considering changes to the Consumer Protection Act to promote fair and clear cellphone and texting contracts, and is looking for input from Manitobans, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh announced.
“Cellphones offer convenience and security but, as they become an integral part of our daily lives. We’re finding that they are also a source of frustration for consumers,” said Mackintosh. “We are committed to finding ways to ensure contracts are fair and worded more clearly, and we want public input on the best way to do that.”
In recent years, the number of complaints to the Consumer Protection Office about contracts for cellphones and other wireless devices has been growing. As part of the Let’s Make A Better Deal consumer protection strategy, Manitoba intends to address the issue with legislation in the spring of 2011, Mackintosh said.
Some of the goals to improve cellphone and texting contracts include:
• making them easy to read and understand by customers,
• ensuring fairness for both consumers and suppliers,
• making information about contract cancellations clear, and
• providing more clear information on when contract terms can be changed.
More information and a discussion paper can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/cca/cpo.
The Consumer Protection Office is accepting written submissions or comments on the issue of cellphone contracts and possible changes from now until Jan. 17. To make a submission, either as a group or as an individual, send comments to consumers@gov.mb.ca or the Consumer Protection Office, Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs, 302-258 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B6.
