Edmonton... Four consumer champions are being recognized by the Alberta government for their efforts in the area of consumer protection. This is the second year that the Alberta Consumer Champion awards have been handed out.

"The marketplace is friendlier because of the contributions of these consumer champions," said Lloyd Snelgrove, Minister of Service Alberta responsible for consumer issues. "The real winners are the Albertans who have benefited from the commitment to consumer education demonstrated by all the honourees."

The Alberta Consumer Champion Awards acknowledge outstanding efforts on the part of individuals, organizations, businesses and media who make consumer protection and awareness a priority in their dealing with fellow Albertans.

The recipient of this year's Minister's Award is University of Calgary law professor Peter Bowal for his long-term contributions to a fair and just Alberta marketplace.

The Legal Studies Program (Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta) and the Alberta Real Estate Foundation received the Award of Distinction for their joint work to create an educational website on renting in Alberta (http://www.landlordandtenant.org/).

The Edmonton Apartment Association was recognized with the Award of Merit for the implementation of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program of Edmonton.

For more information on consumer protection or the awards, please visit: http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/ and click on consumer information.

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Backgrounder: Winning entries

Peter Bowal - Long-term outstanding contributions to consumer awareness in Alberta

Bowal is a law professor working out of the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business. Over the last 25 years he has been involved in public legal education - specifically consumer protection - in Alberta. He has published articles and research, made presentations, and taught continuing education sessions on a volunteer basis. He has also contributed to a weblog, a regular column in a magazine and a call-in Alberta-wide radio program to educate Alberta consumers about their rights and obligations.

Legal Studies Program (Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta) and
Alberta Real Estate Foundation - Laws for Landlords and Tenants in Alberta

In 2000, a Legal Studies Program study found that the relationship between landlords and tenants would be improved if more educational resources were available. The Alberta Real Estate Foundation agreed to fund a web-based learning resource. The result is http://www.landlordandtenant.org/- an easy-to-use website with more than 1,000 pages of user-friendly information about renting a home in Alberta. The site received 126,000 visitors in 2006 alone. It is the only website of its kind in Canada.

Edmonton Apartment Association - Crime Free Multi-Housing Program of Edmonton

The Edmonton Apartment Association worked with the Edmonton Police Services and the Alberta Motor Association to prevent crime and increase the safety of tenants. Some of the actions taken by the program included screening of prospective tenants, responding promptly to potential and actual problems, proactively managing buildings, developing safety awareness, improving lighting, eliminating obstacles to surveillance, distributing information, strengthening police relations and developing a sense of community.

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