Bill S-215 explained in plain English

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that occurred on December 11, 2012. During this sitting, the Senate proceeded with routine proceedings, which included tabling reports and introducing new bills. Specifically, Bill S-215, an Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees), was introduced and received first reading. The sitting also included Question Period and the consideration of various Orders of the Day, which involved debates on several bills and inquiries. The debate on Bill S-215 was scheduled for two days hence. The artifact details numerous other proceedings unrelated to Bill S-215, such as debates on other bills, committee reports, and inquiries on various topics.

On December 13, 2012, the Senate sat and engaged in various procedural activities. Notably, Bill S-215, concerning credit card acceptance fees, was moved for second reading, and the debate was adjourned. The Senate also dealt with numerous other bills and committee reports, including debates on national defence procurement, elder abuse, First Nations financial transparency, and suicide prevention.

The Senate is continuing its second reading debate on Bill S-215, which proposes to amend the Payment Card Networks Act concerning credit card acceptance fees. Senator Pierrette Ringuette spoke about the bill, highlighting her previous attempts to introduce similar legislation. She discussed the current high fees charged by credit card companies and the limited negotiation power of merchants. She presented statistics on credit card usage and fees in Canada, comparing them to international standards and noting significant increases in fees and profits for credit card companies and banks. Senator Ringuette argued that the proposed bill, which would cap acceptance fees, is necessary to provide savings for consumers and small businesses and to increase Canada's economic competitiveness. The debate was adjourned.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting held on March 19, 2013. It includes various Senate proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. Notably, the Senate resumed debate on Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees). A senator spoke in opposition to the bill, arguing that it would duplicate the roles of the Minister of Finance and interfere with the market's natural supply and demand dynamics for credit card fees. The senator suggested waiting for a decision from the Competition Tribunal on credit card network rules and pointed to the existing Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada as a measure to protect merchants and consumers. Other discussions included the devolution of federal powers in the Northwest Territories, the birthday of a centenarian, the University of New Brunswick men's hockey team's championship win, the polar bear trade, the appointment of the Commissioner of Official Languages, and various committee reports and notices of motion. There were also question periods on topics like salvia as a controlled substance, Employment Insurance reforms, Sable Island, the Keystone XL Pipeline Project, and the inauguration of Pope Francis. Finally, debates were adjourned on several bills, including those concerning First Nations financial transparency, tax conventions, the Criminal Code (contraband tobacco), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.

This artifact is a record of a Senate debate on March 19, 2013, concerning Bill S-215, an Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act regarding credit card acceptance fees. During the debate, Senator Ghislain Maltais expressed the government's opinion that the bill is not necessary at this time. He noted that a decision from the Competition Tribunal regarding credit card network rules for merchants is pending and would impact fees. The government believes the bill would duplicate the roles of the Minister of Finance and interfere with the market's supply and demand model. Senator Maltais also mentioned the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada, implemented in 2010, and the establishment of a consultative committee (FinPay) to monitor industry practices. The senator argued that imposing fee limits could lead to increased costs for consumers, such as higher interest rates or fewer perks, and that a government body setting these limits would be difficult given the complexity of the market. The government's preferred approach is to ensure market transparency and facilitate options for merchants and consumers.

On May 8, 2013, the Senate debated Bill S-215, which aims to amend the Payment Card Networks Act concerning credit card acceptance fees. The bill proceeded to second reading, and following the debate, it was referred to a Senate committee for further review. The sitting also included various other proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and debates on other bills and motions.