This week CIPMA, along with representatives of hundreds of thousands of Canadian businesses will arrive in Ottawa for the start of House of Commons Committee hearings focused on the runaway fees merchants are forced to pay to accept credit cards. The joint House Finance/Industry Committee inquiry, which begins tomorrow, comes on the heels of hearings held on the issue by the Senate Banking Committee that concluded last week. The hearings signal the first time that credit and debit card issues have been examined by Parliament.

“Independent Fuel Marketers are tired of being ripped off by credit card companies” says Jane Savage, the head of the Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (CIPMA).

“Credit card merchant fees contribute to higher gasoline and heating oil prices and make no mistake about it – consumers end up paying.

Canadians, no matter what payment method they use, will pay more for essential goods like fuel because of the unfair and unconscionable practices of the credit card companies.