March 26, 2004

Roy Cullen, M.P. (Etobicoke North)
News Release

Bill C-212 An act respecting user fees passed into law by House of Commons

ETOBICOKE - Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, received an overwhelming show of support from the House of Commons today as Bill C-212, An Act Respecting User Fees, was passed into law.

The concurrence by the House of Commons on Bill C-212 follows amendments introduced in the Senate, and the previous unanimous support of the House of Commons.

"There was support from all parties who recognized the importance of amending the way the government charges user fees. I am extremely pleased, and I wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who helped in this long journey," said Cullen.

Bill C-212 was first introduced in October 2002, and made considerable progress in moving up the Private Members' Business agenda. Since the early 1980's only a handful of Private Members' Bills have ever passed all stages in the House of Commons.

In the Senate, Bill C-212 was sponsored by Liberal Senator Pierette Ringuette-Maltais, who guided it through the Senate with much skill, garnering the overwhelming support of Senators on both sides.

"I was happy to work with my colleague from the House of Commons on such a significant initiative," said Ringuette-Maltais. "The issue of user fees is one that has been important to many Senators and I look forward to the implementation of this Bill."

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; and,
• The need for more parliamentary oversight when user fees are introduced or changed;

For more information, please contact:
David Cuddemi, Executive Assistant
Room 317, West Block
613-995-4702