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Canadian small and independent businesses stand up to credit card companies

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Canadian small and independent businesses stand up to credit card companies
The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and a coalition of like-minded
associations have launched StopStickingItToUs.com, a national
campaign against Big Credit Card companies and the banks that issue
their cards that have been imposing skyrocketing hidden credit card
fees on all Canadians.

The Retail Council of Canada (RCC)
and a coalition of like-minded associations have launched
"www.StopStickingItToUs.com", a national campaign against Big Credit
Card companies and the banks that issue their cards that have been
imposing skyrocketing hidden credit card fees on all Canadians.

Over the next few weeks, RCC will be asking small businesses and
Canadians to stand up and tell the Big Credit Card companies and the banks that issue their cards to stop sticking it to us.

"Interchange fees", represent an enormous cost for average Canadians
and any organization that accepts payment by credit card – merchants,
charities, schools, restaurants, hotels, government services and
others. The average Canadian household pays hundreds of dollars a year
in interchange fees without even knowing it as they are a hidden
portion of the cost of virtually every transaction they make.

A new poll conducted by Nanos Research on behalf of Retail Council of Canada found that:

• 55 per cent of Canadians had a poor understand of the fees associated with credit cards.
• 63 per cent of Canadians believe that credit card fees are increasing with no noticeable increase in value.
• 77 per cent of Canadians believe that credit card companies are not full transparent in explaining their fees for credit cards

Nearly $2 of every $100
Canadians spend using credit cards goes directly to the Big Credit Card
companies and their issuing banks. Canada is one of the few
industrialized countries in the world that doesn't regulate these fees,
which is why they are among the highest in the world – and they
continue to escalate.

"Big Credit Card
companies and their banks are taking advantage of local retailers,
businesses and all Canadians by exploiting loopholes that keep the true
cost of skyrocketing fees from the average consumer," says Diane J.
Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada. "Our
coalition is seeking government action and will be calling on political
candidates to take a stance on what their position on this issue is."

These unregulated and skyrocketing fees are of particular concern in
the current period of economic softening in Canada, when consumers and
businesses are pressured to be increasingly cost-conscious.

"Canadians pay among the highest credit card fees in the world," says
Brisebois. "Retailers and other business are not opposed to paying
fees, as long as they correspond to the actual cost of the service that
is rendered. Big Credit Card companies and the banks issuing their
cards are out of control and their practices need to be regulated."

As an alternative to credit cards, Canadian merchants have long trusted
Interac to deliver an efficient, transparent and low-cost debit card
system. Now that system is in jeopardy. Interac is planning to
re-structure in order to become a private/public company like the
foreign-owned credit card providers, Visa and MasterCard. The
anticipated result a higher fee for merchants and all Canadians who use
debit cards.

StopStickingItToUs Coalition members include:
Retail Council of Canada
Alberta Liquor Stores Association
Canadian Booksellers Association
Canadian Convenience Stores Association
Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
Canadian Jewellers Association
Conseil Quebecois du commerce de detail (Quebec Retail Council)
Ontario Accommodation Association
Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
Retail B.C.
The Hotel Association of Canada