| LIBERAL CABINET SHUFFLE WEAKENS CONSUMER PROTECTION IN ONTARIO: PC CONSUMER CRITIC LISA MACLEOD | | | | Opposition critic says Ontario consumers and businesses can not be represented by same person For Immediate Release July 9th, 2008 (Nepean, ON) – MPP Lisa MacLeod says the McGuinty government’s latest Cabinet shuffle puts the interests of both consumers and businesses at risk by lumping the two portfolios together under one government ministry. The Official Opposition Critic for the Minister of Government and Consumer Services warns that neither group will get effective representation by Minister Hardiner Takhar, who is being given the additional responsibility for Consumer Affairs. “You can’t be the protector of consumer rights and the advocate for business interests at the same time,” explains MacLeod. “What will he do when the best interests of those two groups collide? Both groups deserve their own, dedicated advocates at the Cabinet table; instead they now run the risk of weaker representation and potential conflicts of interests down the road.” The P.C. critic also expressed concern that consumer issues were being placed in the hands of the first Minister to have been found in violation of the Integrity Act (Takhar was formally reprimanded by the Integrity Commissioner for his violations in 2006). “The Minister in charge of consumer issues is supposed to be the guardian of integrity and fair dealing in the marketplace. How do you trust that responsibility to someone with a proven lack of integrity?” asks MacLeod. “In one cabinet shuffle the Liberals have single-handedly weakened consumer protection in Ontario,” concluded MacLeod. - 30 - | | | |
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