Canadian Tire admits to overcharging on eco fees

Canadian Tire has admitted its stores have been charging consumers too much for eco fees since they came into effect on July 1. The company says it was the result of a computer glitch.

A receipt obtained by CTV Ottawa shows one Canadian Tire shopper was charged a 37-cent eco fee on a $1 jug of bleach. However, that charge should have been much less.

Examples listed in the Toronto Star on Wednesday indicate a shopper was charged a 60-cent eco fee on a $3 bottle of laundry detergent; another was charged a $3.23 eco fee on a $20 driveway sealer.

"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience," said Canadian Tire spokesperson Amy Cole.

"Customers that return to the store with a receipt will be reimbursed the difference between the incorrect fee and the adjusted, correct fee."

Environment minister has serious concerns

In a letter to the head of Stewardship Ontario on Tuesday, Ontario's environment minister said he has "serious concerns" with overcharging of fees.

"Some retailers have been charging fees greater than the set fee Stewardship Ontario charges businesses. This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately," said John Gerretsen.

"If the situation is not rectified, I will consider options to ensure consumers are not being misled about any fees being charged or eliminate altogether the ability to charge additional set fees to consumers."

What are the fees for?

The eco fees quietly came into effect on July 1, the same day as the Harmonized Sales Tax. The fees are applied to a long list of products, including aerosol containers, fire extinguishers, fluorescent tubes, syringes and needles, and all toxic, corrosive and flammable products.

The fees go to various stewardship councils across the province to ensure hazardous materials don't end up in landfills.

The Sierra Club of Canada says the program is important because hazardous material that isn't disposed of properly can become a health and environmental risk.

"Our water waste management systems aren't designed to capture those (hazardous materials) and process them out. (The systems) are about sanitizing, so they tend to go right through the system and end up in our drinking water, so we are drinking a watered down version of it," said John Bennett, executive director of the Sierra Club.

The first phase of eco fees were introduced on July 1, 2008. The Ontario government predicts the 13 new categories added to the program this month will help divert an estimated 26,000 tonnes of hazardous waste from the landfill in the first year alone.

Residents in Ottawa plan to protest the fee outside Premier Dalton McGuinty's office on Saturday.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem and Kate Eggins

Comments are now closed for this story

Stephen
said
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I was charged the fees at Crappy tire on 2 cans of Exterior Latex oil stain a week before the fees were to start.

I have also heard that there are fees on bags of top soil, and black earth. WTF?

Just when you think Dalton's Gov't couldn't become anymore of a joke.

Thank God its a quick trip across the border to either Quebec or the USA.

MP
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I'm confused with this tax. By no means does this tax physically stop an aerosol can (for example) from being in a landfill. Fail.

Does it pay to send tree-huggers into the landfill to pluck them out for recycling?

Jeff
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Thats Canadian Tire for you. Stop shopping there people - they are no better than Walmart. Everything in Canadian Tire comes from China too.

Chantal
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What I would like to know is if we can bring back our empty containers, that we paid an eco-fee back to the store of purchase so they can dispose of it. This charge is for the proper disposal of a product that the store is charging me for, therefore, it should be their resposability to dispose of it.

Peter D. MacIntosh
said
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ECO fees are another tax grab. The Ontario government and its Premier should resign. People on fixed incomes can't keep absorbing these outrageous tax increases.

Doug
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Let me make a statement that everyone can relate to.

Why is it that retailers always make mistakes in their favor but never make mistakes in the customers favor?

dwayne-ottawa
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WHA WHA WHA cant afford the eco fees dont buy the product boy maybe we should drop all of these taxes and start paying every penny for medical services like they do in the states you canandians are so lucky quit bitching.

GS
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I am not surprise that Canadian Tire is involved in such practices. I do not shp there anymore. They like other stores buy things , put them on sale, never have any and then when the price is high they pull out the stock. Some grocery stores also do this. My question is how come this tax/fee came out without announced and also with very little instructions to retailers? A full guide and rules should of been clear to everyone involved even the paying consumers. These secrative deals are what our governement is doing more and more. The government has no problem taking and dealing with our money, spending our money as they please. Something has got to change.....

KJ in Kingston Ontario
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Another McGuinty scandal. The majority of this eco-tax is being syphoned off to grow these over-loaded bureaucratic councils and fund their eco-consultants -- it doesn't fund any meaningful recovery of the waste products at all! Look how "Stewardship" folks are all in hiding since July 1st. It is like they got caught with their collective hands in the cookie jar. Another example of profound incompetence and mismanagement of our province's resources. If anything, the eco-fees have hurt the recycling ethic because now the cost is considered "all-in" with the payment of this pollution fee at point of purchase -- so the used product is tossed straight into the most convenient garbage bin... Who is going to invest even more money in it after they have already paid for the right to dispose of it. I know I am not.

art
said
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This tax grab has got to end. First, we got the unexpected health tax. Then, we were slapped the HST and these exorbitant eco-fees, which seemed to be uncontrolled and unaccounted for by any agency. Where will all the money collected go and how much of it will actually go to the environment clean up and preservation?
It is time the public should hold this government accountable or these tax grabs?

Jeffery
said
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what a province we live in we imposes to HST and vary then they through the new environmental fees at use because they can need I remind them the in an election next year and we the tax payer will not for get this thanks to the taxing liberals. how ever my personal favorite how ever was the email I sent to my MPP about new environmental fee and I got a reply back in witch my MPPs office basically tells my these fees were imposes without the MPP having a say (a total lie)

Jack Chit says we are being ROBBED
said
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Instead of waiting for a spending scandal to hit the news in a few month, we should just take a close look at their expenses right the heck now, and find out who is REALLY getting this money.

I mean, we have to know the fix is in if this organization is at 'arms-length' to the government, so why wait till they misspend, and tax us to death to do the audit.

Add to that the fact that we were paying all that money before, it was just rolled into our taxes. They should be reducing our taxes to compensate for this increase, or transfer that money to them instead of making us pay extra for what we have been paying all along. I mean, we didn't just start recycling, and the money before came from somewhere.

AUDIT THESE SUCKERS NOW!!!!!!!

I can't see any way that we are getting anything but Jack Chit from this organization, and one big TAX. I mean, add it to the HST, and we are paying about 50% tax on every item. That isn't taxation, THAT'S ROBERRY!!

Bubba from Ottawa
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The more I hear about our Ontario Government STEALING OUR MONEY, the more I support the G20 Protesters. I am now at the point where I don't even care what the issue is, I am against it if the LIBERAL Government of Ontario is for it.

When I think of that lying Dalton McGuinty, and his Liberal Party, all I can think of are offensive 4 letter words which I cannot say here.

At first I said I'd vote next time for the Conservatives. Then after the HST thing, I widened that to say I'd vote either Conservative or NDP. After this Eco-tax, I have widened that to say I'll vote for anyone who is not Liberal, is wearing at least underwear, and not eating dog poop. I figure if you're eating dog pop, you need a lot more than my vote, and you should probably be a member of the Liberal Party of Ontario.

Oh, and if you plan to vote Liberal next election, write back giving me your address so I can send the Bennie over to 'talk' with you. Aw I don't really mean that...much(right Bennie?), but send me your address anyway, in case I change you mind.

Donna
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Funny how they "overcharge" on the computer glitch. Funny how it is almost impossible to take back a can of paint to Canadian Tire. Last time I just left it outside the store because they wouldn't take it, after they chrged me an eco fee of $1 for the paint.

I will continue to buy as much as possible in the US and any other province that doesn't overcharge me an "eco fee" "TAX".

How much longer until we get to vote out the Fiberals and Dalton?

Denis in Ottawa
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Almost everyone is upset because of this eco-tax. Protests to come. However, it also seems like everyone has forgotten about the much hated HST. In a few weeks, the provincial government (liberals) will cancel this tax and everyone will be happy and th eliberals may win a few more votes. But the HST will remain. The conservatives and NDP say they would scrapt the eco-tax but haven't said a word about the HST. Why would they. It's a cash cow for the government.

Feeling Cheated!
said
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Personally I have better things to do then to go back and get reimbursed on (the difference of the eco fees, pocket change) a bottle of bleach or a box of soap And that's if I even have kept the receipt from 6 months ago. Having said this, I don't like to feel cheated, and when I feel that I have, I never return to the store (or chain)

Canadian Tire should be ashamed of themselves! Their reaction is that of a child getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar!

Morrigan
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I work at Canadian Tire, and like you, I paid the extra eco fees when I purchased those same products. I couldn't believe the eco fees on a jug of javex. You now know, that was an error with adjusting the computers to the new provincial policy. I hope you all remember that in these trying times, there are still a lot of people working in these stores that are happy to do their best for you. I am happy to see Corpoate office make the changes and look forward to serving all our customers once again.

Jim from Ottawa
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We must vote out mcguinty and the liberals and we must do it now! I recycle diddly, nothing, nada, squat. Everything goes in a green bag. This is not japan. This is canada where we have the population of the state of california in a country larger than america. We get pollution from the states due to WIND whether we eco conserver or recycle. We have plenty of land to make landfills. Ontairo does not dig up its ground to make oil although I APPLAUD alberta for doing so. I don't want eco fees, I don't want HST and I don't want the liberals in ontario. Ontario needs a massive re-adjustment by a party MORE conservative than the liberals. I am sick and tired of paying for tree huggers and canadians of convenience. THAT is exactly what Ontario has turned into.

Mike
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At least Dalton fulfilled his promise not to raise taxes. Keep voting for him people. Wait until you start paying the exhale fee. Dalton will permit you to inhale but charge you a dollar to exhale. Of course, he�d have to hire thousands of his corrupt consultants to monitor this just as he did with e-health.

Jonesy -Smithville
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What an awesome Canada day present from our goverment. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't they work for us? Perhaps it's time for a reveloution since we are being taxed without repersentation. I seem to remember historically this did not work well for leaders. How long until our so-called leaders tell us if we have no bread eat cake instead? I believe if needed I can build a guiloteene and we can rectify this issue. Perhaps next time if we are smart we can suggest no lawyers allowed in leadership.

Honour
said
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I was at Crappy Tire today, and bought Baking Soda, which is an edible product, used in baking. I was charged 13 cents for the item. What gives with charging a fee of foodstuffs?

Glen
said
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Another thought. Why are we paying an ECO fee on products we are going to consume? Bleach for example. I bought this to use, I wont be recycling it. Sounds more like some kind of punishment fee, or, some kind of "excuse to grab more money" fee, or tax.

Joe
said
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Another reason why I will not shop at Crappy Tire. For big purchases I am shopping in Lowes in Ogdensburg, New York for yard and home products. For electronics it's either Watertown or Syracuse. No more shopping in Ontario and supporting our corrupt provincial government.

Glen
said
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ECO fee on waste oil? WHAT? Most waste oil producers are PAID for their waste oil these days. Thats right, there is a demand for it. Even AFTER the "manifest fee" (another name for another tax) the producer of waste oil will still profit from a pick up! This story just keep getting better and better.

CHRIS
said
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-just like the guy says in the ING COMMERCIALS

" save your money"

( i think we all know where the border is )....

CHEERS

:)

Wendy Jones
said
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Just another McGuinty tax grab. Wonder what excuse he'll give this time for getting caught. Another reason why I will continue to do most of my shopping in the good ole U.S. of A.

reidjr
said
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Blame the stores all you want but the real blame lies with the ontario liberals.

dajamies
said
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The latest slap by Dalton and his staff of lying Liberals. I saved the HST plus the eco tax buying food and gas plus several hundred dollars of other goods from the good ole "cheaper" USA.

rita
said
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candain tires is a bunch of thieves,just like all other stores around,it seems like they charge us all kind of taxes and then run around and blame it on the so called "new tax" policy.They are just sorry they got cuaght that's all it is!!

Lise
said
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I'm appaled and scared at all these new taxes thrown at us. As a senior making around $1 800 a month these increases appaled me because we just can't seem to be able to stop the government from taking more and more money out of our pocket anyway and anytime they want. Scared because these increase diminish the little pleasure I have in life as I have to pay more and do less and less. How can we stop the government from taking money out of our pockets and managing the money they do have better?

P Roy
said
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This why I will never shop at Canadian Tire....

Gilbert in Ottawa
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So you are sick of paying those eco-Fees (Ontario Liberal Tax Grab), then why not go to Quebec or Manitoba to buy your stuff. Cross-border shopping doesn't always have to be to the south!

reidjr
said
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This is why the liberals will get reelected.Some of the comments are blaming the stores etc and not the gov.Ask your self is it right the stores were given such short notice is it right to fine them etc.

Pierre
said
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They must be taking the "Dalton screw the public 101" training course.

Getting caught means they failed the training course!

Trudy
said
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I was charged a $4.03 eco fee for an $18 bucket of hydraulic cement, then 52 cents HST on top of that...only to find out that apparently the eco fee had been dropped from this product.Canadian Tire said to me sorry.... but it's on the list.Now I have to go into town (20km. round trip) again to see if I can get my money back....what a headache this whole eco tax is...

Robert Collin
said
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On more reason to shop as much as possible in the States ...... GST, HST, Eco tax, tax, tax, tax. Perhaps we should rename our country Taxanada?

Brad
said
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What a negative Nancy you are.

Al - Ottawa
said
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This introduction of eco fees to thousands of new items is purely a huge tax grab. This tax grab is much larger than the HST. And what do most people do here in Ontario? They just wimper and accept it.

ann
said
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So! how will the consumer get back there money,It will be intersting to see what happens next, sorry is not going to cut it i think

DonnyBoy
said
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Nice plan -- rip off millions of people with very small amounts that they would never actually go wait in line to get back.

Canadian Tire should be ashamed. I hope large fines are levied, mistake or not.

Frank
said
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To Nancy: I couldn't AGREE with you more.

I got dinged with that eco fee at Canadian Tire and I had no idea what this was until I read the papers and internet last week.

I saw a previous posting where somebody got charged the full eco fee on something that was less then was supposed to be charged at Canadian Tire.

I'm not surprised Canadian Tire does this.

On a side note, ever get the flyer that sometimes advertises something on sale for 60% off only to go there and they are out of stock? Well, earlier this year I got the flyer on a Thursday and I went to check the store in Orleans and there was tons of this particular item in stock. I went there first thing Friday morning as the store was opening to see the item suddenly out of stock.

Unless someone came in and bought thousand $$$ worth of this product, minutes after the store opened, they were hoarding it in the back stockroom.

I went there the following Friday and it was a miracle. Tons of that product on the shelf....at FULL PRICE of course.

Coincidence? I think NOT!

Ursula Ouimet
said
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I so agree with the fees/tax. Tires and used oil can be taken to stores for disposal for FREE rather than ending up in ditches. Electronics and computers also free at disposal locations rather than ending up in dumps.

I am an extrene recycler and pick up items from garbage at roadside and tires fom ditches and dispose properly. This used to cost me $150 now I only pay $50 per van full.

Chris
said
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F.Y.I

" CANADIAN TIRE" has been charging " eco fees" , on countless products for the last 6-8 months ( min) at least , or longer....!!!

-all attempts , including countless phone calls to their head office in toronto , have been useless.....NO ONE can explain nor have any idea whatsoever on how the fees are calculated , nor why they were charging them on some hazardous products , and not others!!!! ....

CTC pulled in tens of thousands of dollars , or more , in gross added profit by charging " eco" fees long before july 1st !! where did all this money go ????

HMMMMMMMM

Nancy
said
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Yeh Right! Sorry they got caught is more like it!