Finance committee  I have 30 employees who work for me. Obviously, if I go out of business, they're all out of business. I could probably fill this room with retailers just like me, all across Canada, in your ridings, who are going through the same thing. We're looking at it every month. I get my statement.

Industry committee  I have 30 employees who work for me. Obviously, if I go out of business, they're all out of business. I could probably fill this room with retailers just like me, all across Canada, in your ridings, who are going through the same thing. We're looking at it every month. I get my statement.

Finance committee  I don't think they're spending any more. They're just changing the method of payments. We have seen the cash business decrease. We are seeing the debit card increase, obviously, and the credit card. People's shopping habits have changed, but the credit card doesn't necessarily allow them to buy more.

Industry committee  I don't think they're spending any more. They're just changing the method of payments. We have seen the cash business decrease. We are seeing the debit card increase, obviously, and the credit card. People's shopping habits have changed, but the credit card doesn't necessarily allow them to buy more.

Finance committee  Definitely, the increase has been significant. We're seeing people use them more and more. I can track back four or five years. We're seeing a double-digit increase in the usage. You've seen the ads. People are saying, “I spend $5,000 on groceries a year so why don't I use my points and collect?”

Industry committee  Definitely, the increase has been significant. We're seeing people use them more and more. I can track back four or five years. We're seeing a double-digit increase in the usage. You've seen the ads. People are saying, “I spend $5,000 on groceries a year so why don't I use my points and collect?”

Finance committee  I can tell you that my fees went up 25%. I didn't see it coming. I simply got a little notice that said, “By the way, the fees are changing.” That's it.

Industry committee  I can tell you that my fees went up 25%. I didn't see it coming. I simply got a little notice that said, “By the way, the fees are changing.” That's it.

Finance committee  Absolutely not. My staff doesn't even understand it. If they see the ad for the thing, they're going to run and get that card and do the same thing. So no, it's misleading, absolutely misleading. My fees go up constantly. I have to cut somewhere else. I have to cut positions. I mean, I'm looking at the future and saying, “Now what?”

Industry committee  Absolutely not. My staff doesn't even understand it. If they see the ad for the thing, they're going to run and get that card and do the same thing. So no, it's misleading, absolutely misleading. My fees go up constantly. I have to cut somewhere else. I have to cut positions. I mean, I'm looking at the future and saying, “Now what?”

Finance committee  Ideally it should be what you are saying. Approximately 70% of all transactions are done by credit or debit cards and that is increasing on a daily basis. My business is not a bank and I can only negotiate with two people. Obviously, therefore, I am at a disadvantage from the outset compared to larger businesses.

Industry committee  Ideally it should be what you are saying. Approximately 70% of all transactions are done by credit or debit cards and that is increasing on a daily basis. My business is not a bank and I can only negotiate with two people. Obviously, therefore, I am at a disadvantage from the outset compared to larger businesses.

Finance committee  I can only speak for myself, but if I look at my small business here in Ottawa, with 30 employees, in the last year on the credit cards alone, my fees have gone up 25%. I can't control what cards come in. My statements used to be one page long. Now there are about 10 or 15 pages of fees of different cards, such as Infinite and all these little changes.

Industry committee  I can only speak for myself, but if I look at my small business here in Ottawa, with 30 employees, in the last year on the credit cards alone, my fees have gone up 25%. I can't control what cards come in. My statements used to be one page long. Now there are about 10 or 15 pages of fees of different cards, such as Infinite and all these little changes.