B.C. just needs Ottawa onside against payday lenders
- The Vancouver Sun
- Wed 03 May 2006
- Page: A18
- Section: Editorial
- Byline: John Les
- Source: Vancouver Sun
Re: Provinces need the power to keep payday lenders in check, Editorial, May 1
This editorial erroneously claims that the British Columbia government has yet to take a firm position in this debate. B.C. took this issue to the federal government five years ago and since then, we have taken a strong leadership role. We chair a committee of senior provincial and federal officials who have been working hard to develop an effective regulatory scheme for payday lenders that will protect consumers.
As noted in your editorial, while Manitoba has recently introduced legislation to regulate payday lenders, the relevant parts cannot be brought into force until Ottawa changes the Criminal Code.
We've been working with Ottawa on this issue, but now we need to know where the new Conservative government stands. Then we need Ottawa to act quickly. When the provinces have the power to make "payday lenders toe the line," the B.C. government will act quickly to do exactly that.
- John Les
- Solicitor General
- British Columbia