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Calgary Renovator Accused of Unfair Trade Practices

CALGARY, May 07, 2003 - Calgary home renovation contractor Fernand Belanger, operating as The Renovators, has been charged under Alberta's Fair Trading Act for failing to refund deposits to consumers who cancelled their contracts and for grossly overcharging consumers.

Alberta Government Services investigators suspect Belanger continues to operate without a licence and could be putting more consumers at risk.

"Consumers need to be warned of the contractor's activities and that he is no longer licensed to take prepayments in the province," said Stephen Louie, the department's manager of investigations for southern Alberta.

Under the Fair Trading Act, special rules apply to contractors who ask for money before a job is completed and who negotiate contracts away from their normal place of business. Such contractors must be licensed as prepaid contractors and must post a security bond with Alberta Government Services.

Charges against Belanger were laid as a result of an investigation into six consumer complaints in 2002. Two of these complaints involved major renovations with deposits in excess of $26,000. These cases are outstanding and may result in claims against the contractor's $10,000 bond.

The Director of Fair Trading subsequently asked Belanger to increase his bond, which he failed to do. As a result, the Director cancelled his license on March 13, 2003.

Further complaints were received and three have resulted in charges under the Fair Trading Act against Belanger for gross overcharges and misrepresentation. Further charges may be laid in connection with another set of complaints.

This is not Belanger's first contact with provincial regulators. He was convicted in 1994 for operating without a provincial licence and fined $900. He subsequently obtained a provincial licence.

In a buoyant economy resulting in overbooked tradespeople, it may be tempting to hire the first person available to do a job. But Government Services urges Albertans to be cautious about signing a contract with a renovator who arrives unannounced at the door.

For more information on how to deal with renovators, a consumer tipsheet called Home Renovations and Repair is available on the Government Services Web site at http://www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/pdf/home.pdf or by calling the department's Consumer Information Centre at 427-4088 or toll-free at 1-877-427-4088.

Eoin Kenny - Alberta Government Services - (780) 422-7801 - Eoin.Kenny@gov.ab.ca