September 30th, 2003

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

User fee legislation passed unanimously by House of Commons.

ETOBICOKE - Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, received an overwhelming show of support from the House of Commons yesterday as Bill C-212, An Act Respecting User Fees, received unanimous all party support at third reading, and was referred to the Senate for further debate and discussion.

The unanimous concurrence by the House of Commons of Bill C-212 follows unanimous consent at the committee stage as well as at second reading stage.

"There is a considerable support from all parties who recognize the importance of amending the way the government conducts its external charging program. I am confident that members of the Senate will also support the legislation when it comes to a vote in the future," said Cullen.

Bill C-212 was first introduced in October of 2002 and has 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 will be sponsored by Liberal Senator Peter Stollery, Ontario (Bloor & Yonge/Toronto). Senator Stollery is expecting to introduce C-212 to the Senate this week.

"I am happy to be working with my colleague from the House of Commons on such a significant initiative," said Stollery. "The issue of user fees is one that has been important to many Senators and I look forward to leading the debate in the Upper Chamber."

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:
Ryan Hordy, Executive Assistant
Room 317, West Block
613-995-