TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR CONSUMER CONCERNS

Released on December 31, 1996

Justice Minister John Nilson today announced that a toll-free number is
available for Saskatchewan residents who have questions about consumer
and business rights and responsibilities under the new Consumer
Protection Act. The act comes into force Jan. 1, 1997.

The act was passed during the 1996 legislative session to provide
enhanced protection for Saskatchewan consumers and new remedies for
consumers and businesses to resolve disputes without going to court.

"Consumers will want to find out what remedies are available to them,"
Nilson said. "Businesses will want to clarify the practices and
principles this act sets out so they can ensure they are operating
responsibly. A toll-free number to the Consumer Protection Branch is
an effective and easy way for Saskatchewan people to have their
questions answered or to lodge a complaint."

The toll-free number is 1-888-374-4636 and is staffed Monday to Friday,
during regular business hours.

The Consumer Protection Act consolidates existing and new consumer
legislation and covers most situations where a product or service is
being bought for personal use. It makes it an offence for a business
to mislead or deceive consumers about a product, make false claims, or
take advantage of vulnerable consumers. A consumer may be vulnerable
for a number of reasons including problems due to age, physical or
mental health, literacy-level or language capabilities.

The act is designed to provide a balance in the marketplace between:
consumers and businesses; the responsibility of consumers to protect
their own interests and the overall need to protect against unfair
business transactions; and, respecting and endorsing reputable business
transactions, and identifying and addressing those that are unfair.

"The vast majority of businesses in this province operate in a
responsible, ethical manner," Nilson said. "This legislation simply
sets out a statement of the principles by which they already operate,
while providing consumers with enhanced remedies to address those few
businesses that may operate unfairly."

The Consumer Protection Act is the direct result of recommendations
made by a provincial working group comprised of government, business
and consumer groups. Information on the new act as well as consumer
and business tips will be available through consumer, business and
community organizations across the province.

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For more information, contact:
Lynne M. Godlien
Saskatchewan Justice
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5657