Competition Bureau Gives Merchants an Early Christmas Gift with challenge of
Visa and MasterCard Rules

OTTAWA, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes the Competition Bureau's application with the Competition Tribunal to strike down Visa and MasterCard rules imposed on Canadian merchants.

CFIB first proposed a Code of Conduct for the credit and debit card industry in Canada to give merchants more power in their relationship with credit card companies and banks.  Government ultimately adopted most of CFIB's recommendations in its Code which went into effect in August 2010. 

"The Code is working and has made major progress in protecting Canada's low cost debit card environment," said Dan Kelly, CFIB's senior vice-president in Ottawa. CFIB's original version of the Code also called for the power for merchants to surcharge and ultimately refuse certain higher cost premium cards, like Visa's Infinite brand.  "It is great news that the Competition Bureau is challenging these rules and we believe this would help address very high credit card merchant fees. CFIB believes that fixing these provisions would be a great addition to the Code."

As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 107,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.

For further information:

Or to arrange an interview with Dan Kelly, contact Meghan Carrington or Adam Miller at 416 222-8022 or email[email protected]