Bill S-202 explained in plain English

On October 17, 2013, the Senate held its first reading of Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act concerning credit card acceptance fees. The sitting also included the introduction of several other bills, discussions on the new leadership in the Senate, tributes to individuals, and debates on topics such as World Food Day, the Nobel Prize in Literature, and the RCMP's handling of access to information requests. Additionally, notices of motions were given to suspend Senators Brazeau, Wallin, and Duffy. The Senate adjourned until October 22, 2013.

On October 25, 2013, the Senate commenced its sitting with various procedural items before moving to the second reading debate of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees). Senator Pierrette Ringuette introduced the bill, noting it was the sixth time she had introduced similar legislation aimed at lowering credit card fees for merchants and consumers. She highlighted that excessive fees collected by card issuers exceed $5.5 billion annually and that major card companies had recently increased fees. Senator Ringuette referenced decisions by the Competition Tribunal and regulations in other countries, such as Australia and the European Union, which have capped merchant fees, arguing for a similar approach in Canada to save consumers and businesses billions annually. The debate on Bill S-202 was adjourned. The sitting also included discussions on other matters, including motions to suspend senators, official languages policy, rail safety, and questions of privilege related to senators' residence requirements and expenses.

This document contains the transcript of Senate debates from October 25, 2013. While the bill "An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees)" is mentioned as being at its second reading stage, the bulk of the debate does not focus on this bill. Instead, it primarily discusses procedural matters related to motions to suspend senators Patrick Brazeau, Pamela Wallin, and Michael Duffy, including debates on amendments and deferred votes. There are also discussions on other unrelated topics such as the 20th anniversary of the 1993 federal election, official languages, rail safety, and a tabled document concerning Senator Brazeau's residence requirements.

On December 4, 2013, the Senate debated Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees). The debate was adjourned, meaning it will continue at a later date. The sitting also included tributes to Senator Donald H. Oliver, who was retiring, and a discussion of other legislative and committee matters. Notably, a motion to instruct a committee to hear a witness regarding Senator Duffy's expenses was negatived.

This is a record of a Senate sitting on March 4, 2014. During this sitting, the Senate discussed various matters including international agreements, national events, and tabled reports. Specifically for Bill S-202, "An Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act (credit card acceptance fees)," the debate at the second reading stage continued. However, due to the lack of a designated critic for the bill and discussions around its progression, further debate on Bill S-202 was adjourned.

On March 25, 2014, the Senate convened for a sitting that included various procedural actions and debates. A significant item was the second reading of Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act concerning credit card acceptance fees. During the debate on Bill S-202, Senator Ghislain Maltais spoke in favour of the bill's intent to protect merchants from rising credit card fees, while also suggesting that the bill's current proposals might not strike a fair balance. The bill was ultimately read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce for further study. The sitting also included other legislative matters, tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on topics such as the Supreme Court appointment of justices, missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls, climate change strategy, and the role of the Senate in protecting minorities. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning to the next day.

This record details a Senate debate on Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Payment Card Networks Act concerning credit card acceptance fees. A senator spoke in favour of the bill, emphasizing its aim to protect merchants from rising fees charged by credit card companies and to ensure Canadians are aware of the true costs associated with using credit cards. The senator noted that while the government supports consumer protection, they believe the current bill's proposals do not strike a fair balance between the needs of consumers and merchants and is a "band-aid solution." The senator highlighted that discussions with stakeholders, including consumer associations, merchants, and credit card issuers, are ongoing to find a balanced approach. The bill was subsequently read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce for further study.

On April 21, 2015, the Senate was sitting and heard reports and debates on various matters. A key procedural event was the presentation of the Ninth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce regarding Bill S-202. The committee recommended that the bill, concerning credit card acceptance fees, not be proceeded with further. The report cited the existence of a voluntary Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry and recent voluntary proposals from Visa and MasterCard to reduce fees as reasons for not proceeding with government intervention at that time. The Senate also debated other bills, including the Victims Bill of Rights Act (Bill C-32), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Bill C-2), and the Red Tape Reduction Bill (Bill C-21), as well as discussing issues like World Intellectual Property Day, the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base, and tax evasion.