Finance committee  That's a very interesting point and it's one the committee should take note of. Of course, the consumer continues to use credit cards, and I don't know whether the committee has been told this yet, but Canadians are the number one points collectors in the world. That's not prop

Finance committee  Do you remember when I started off and tried to explain the structure of the industry? If you're buying or you franchise from one of the major players, the odds are that you can piggyback on the rate they have negotiated. Different rates are negotiated by the major players in the

Finance committee  You are absolutely correct about the competitive situation. Because of the strength of the large players in Canada, there really isn't any centre where there isn't some form of competition within driving distance, except in the case of some very remote communities. You don't pass

Industry committee  I honestly think the critical thing is transparency and a clear understanding upfront. There has been none. These things arrived on the market, and I can guarantee that everybody in this room has one in their wallet. There was no transparency upfront with anybody. That's number o

Industry committee  That would be great, but it would take the whole concept of entrepreneurship out of the marketplace. There has to be some modicum of equilibrium. Can we charge an enhanced fee for this credit card? Sure, but if you take it to François' store, he needs to know it's going to be the

Finance committee  I honestly think the critical thing is transparency and a clear understanding upfront. There has been none. These things arrived on the market, and I can guarantee that everybody in this room has one in their wallet. There was no transparency upfront with anybody. That's number o

Finance committee  That would be great, but it would take the whole concept of entrepreneurship out of the marketplace. There has to be some modicum of equilibrium. Can we charge an enhanced fee for this credit card? Sure, but if you take it to François' store, he needs to know it's going to be the

Industry committee  Mr. McTeague, I can't forecast how many will go out of business, but just on the enhanced fee, we've seen the financial statements of several retailers in the last two weeks--and I'm quite prepared to provide them to you on a confidential basis--and you can see the dramatic chang

Finance committee  Mr. McTeague, I can't forecast how many will go out of business, but just on the enhanced fee, we've seen the financial statements of several retailers in the last two weeks--and I'm quite prepared to provide them to you on a confidential basis--and you can see the dramatic chang

Industry committee  Good morning. My name is John Scott. I am the president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. With me today is François Bouchard, who is the owner of The Country Grocer here in Ottawa. He's also the volunteer treasurer of our organization. Before I address t

Finance committee  Good morning. My name is John Scott. I am the president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. With me today is François Bouchard, who is the owner of The Country Grocer here in Ottawa. He's also the volunteer treasurer of our organization. Before I address t

Agriculture committee  I'd be happy to do that, sir.

Agriculture committee  We'd like to present you, Mr. Chair, with a copy of our food safety manual. We wouldn't mind a picture with it, and we'll stick it in a news magazine, if you wouldn't mind.

Agriculture committee  I'd be pleased to.

Agriculture committee  It's the fidelity agreement.