VICTORIA -- Delta North NDP MLA Guy Gentner today introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the B.C. Legislature, which will eliminate expiry dates on gift cards and help stop the gouging of consumers and the pocketing of unclaimed windfall by retailers.

“Consumers have been gouged for years and this must stop,” said Gentner. “Many Dads will soon receive gift cards for the upcoming Father’s Day for everything from gas to coffee to power tools, bought and paid for with hard earned cash. However, the reality is that many Dads may never be able to enjoy their gift.”

It is estimated that that 10 per cent of what the consumers spend on gift cards never gets redeemed, ending up instead in retailers’ pockets. Gentner noted that ahead of Father’s Day, the 5th biggest spending holiday in Canada, it is time to hold retailers accountable by passing this legislation.

“Large retail chains are receiving a windfall, peddling gift cards that expire at the expense of hard working British Columbians. Retailers benefit with 100 per cent profit from the initial purchase, enjoying an immediate cash flow without providing a product until later. Unfortunately, “later” is often too late because the gift cards expire,” said Gentner who himself has several expired gift cards.

Gentner said that he hopes both sides of the House will stand up for consumers and support his bill, which proposes an amendment to B.C.’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

“The governments of Manitoba and Ontario have both taken concrete steps to address this problem. I urge the B.C. Liberals to make this bill a priority and show that they are serious about protecting this province’s consumers,” said Gentner.

An electronic copy of the bill will be available at:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/1st_read/index.htm