Bill 41

Bill 411999

An Act to protect consumers during a state of emergency

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Prohibition

1. (1)During a state of emergency, no person whose business includes the retail sale of products shall sell to a person who resides in an area in which a state of emergency exists a necessary product at a price higher than the price of the product immediately before the state of emergency was in effect.

Definition

(2)In this Act, "

necessary product" means food, clothing, firewood, gasoline, batteries and any other thing that a person may require during a state of emergency to protect his or her health or safety or to protect his or her property.

Penalty

2. (1)Any individual who contravenes section 1 is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.

Corporations

(2)Any corporation who contravenes section 1 is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000.

Commencement

3.This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

4.The short title of this Act is the State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act, 1999.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill prohibits increases during a state of emergency in the price of products needed to protect health and safety and to protect property.