A new bill in Ontario could change the rules protecting shoppers’ loyalty points, a topic that has many people concerned.

With spending on groceries on the rise during the holiday season, many families in Ontario say loyalty points have become an important part of managing their spending.

“Every year I try to save up points to help cover groceries or gifts for the kids,” said shopper Audrey Michaud. “It’s really hard.”

Points from programs like PC Optimum can be used to buy groceries, gifts and home goods. But a proposed change to consumer protection laws has raised questions about what the future of these points might be.

“These points are an important part of how families manage their spending. But a few weeks before Christmas, a legislative change could take away people’s points and benefit big companies.”

The change is part of Bill 46, a sweeping bill that amends many laws in the province. One of those amendments concerns the Consumer Protection and Loyalty Points Act.

“The government wants to remove a section of the law that says loyalty points should not expire simply because of the passage of time,” Bliss explained.

Instead, the government wants to create a new framework that would allow them to make new laws in the future that could allow points to expire under certain circumstances.

But the provincial government has dismissed that concern, saying the changes are intended to strengthen consumer protection.

“Ontario’s laws already protect loyalty points. With this change, we are strengthening that protection so that points cannot be revoked or expired.”

While no changes will be implemented right now, Bliss says Bill 46 leaves the door open for future expiration laws, an issue that has many buyers concerned, especially at this time of year.

“They’ve taken away the current protections and are going to put in new rules later, behind closed doors, that people will have to accept,” he said.

The bill has now been sent to a provincial committee for public comment. It could then return to the legislature for a final vote before the recess or early next year.

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