News Release

User fee legislation passed unanimously by Standing Committee on Finance.

ETOBICOKE – Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, received an encouraging show of support from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as his private members bill, Bill C-212, An Act Respecting User Fees, received unanimous approval at committee stage, and was referred back to the House of Commons for third and final reading, which is expected in the fall.

On June 12^th, 2003, the Finance Committee, after hearing from witnesses over the past three weeks, examined Bill C-212 clause-by-clause and debated eighteen amendments to the Bill introduced by Mr. Cullen, of which sixteen were carried. Bill C-212 subsequently passed unanimously. The amendments introduced by Mr. Cullen are designed to improve the Bill, and are based on input and comments from witnesses, colleagues in the House of Commons, stakeholder groups, and the government.

"This is an excellent example of my colleagues on the Finance Committee working closely together, and listening to the views of various stakeholders and departments. I am confident that Bill C-212 will have the support of the House of Commons when it is voted on at third reading" said Cullen.

The Bill, while recognizing the legitimacy of user fees for proprietary goods and services, highlights the following -

• The establishment of an independent dispute resolution process to address complaints;
• The need for greater stakeholder participation in the fee-setting process;
• The requirement for more comprehensive stakeholder impact and competitiveness analysis when new user fees, or fee increases, are contemplated;
• The establishment of standards which departments and agencies must adhere to or else face a reduction in the user fee collected equivalent to the unachieved performance;
• The need for more parliamentary oversight when user fees are introduced or changed;

For more information, please contact:
Ryan Hordy, Executive Assistant
Room 317, West Block
(613)-995-4702