B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth is taking a hard line on sellers of medical supplies who are charging exorbitant prices for masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, announcing on Sunday that $2,000 fines will be levied on all those who are looking to profiteer during the pandemic.
Seniors care providers in B.C. are bearing the brunt of this shady business, and several reports have come in to BCCPA and SafeCare BC about resellers offering heavily marked-up medical supplies. The same applies to other essential goods, outlined in Farnworth’s ministerial order (115/2020).
As it relates to price gouging, the order declares “essential” any goods and supplies that are necessary for the health, safety and welfare of people, including, without limitation, the following: “(a) food, water and other beverages; (b) fuel and gasoline; (c) health care goods, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; (d) personal hygiene, sanitation and cleaning goods.”
“As our community tries to be 100% all in and so many of us are making sacrifices to protect our community, there is no excuse for those who would rip off those who are caring for our most vulnerable seniors,” says Daniel Fontaine, CEO of BCCPA and EngAge BC. “We’d like to thank Minister Farnworth and the provincial government for these new enforcement measures that we hope will allow affordable access to much-needed protective equipment.”
BCCPA and EngAge BC members who have concerns around price gouging are encouraged to visit: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/report-price-gouging/
To report any cases of price gouging, Consumer Protection BC has set up this form.
