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In other parts of the world,
government intervenes when businesses abuse their customers. But in Canada, consumer rights have gone very wrong. Read on to learn how Great Britain is innovating on behalf of the public being underserved by big business.There are times when a debit card won't work as a substitute for cash. Last summer's breakdown of the Rogers network exposed one side of that vulnerability.
But how healthy is a community that has lost its bank? Part of Scotland, Ontario is still in Ward 5. In fact, the site of the Royal Bank was in the Oakland Township part of Scotland.
RBC pulled out of Scotland last December, even removing the ATM as it left.
The sign posted on the empty bank reads: "We've closed, but we're not gone. Thank you for making us part of your community. We look forward to serving you at: 55 Norfolk St S, Simcoe"
The notice goes on to announce: "We're always happy to serve you wherever and whenever it's convenient for you through these channels:"
The first of those channels are RBC phone numbers where "operators are standing by to serve you" as you wait for the "first available agent" but you are cautioned that the system is "experiencing high call volumes" and you may be subjected to "extended wait times". Sometimes they even give you an estimate of the 20 minutes or more you can expect to wait, and the recorded message is punctuated frequently with encouragement to go online to conduct your business.
Because the bank's website is also one of those 'channels' were RBC is "happy to serve you".
For many this is simply the everyday way of life, for others it is an alienating and frustrating reminder of how marginalised they've become from the mainstream.
The "Digital Divide" mirrors the 'generation gap' that emerged in the 1960s. Many older adults are neither comfortable nor capable of using electronic technologies that are second nature to those who younger.
But the Digital Divide also separates those deprived of easy access to the internet. Without web access, all the advances of communication technology are lost to those who are unconnected.
And that is the dilemma in much of rural Canada. The cashless society of electronic payments and the online market place are inaccessible to those without ready and reliable internet connections.
How is life different in the U.K.?
Recognising that cash is still a preferred method of commerce for many people and businesses, two initiatives have been launched.
One is the emergence of banking "hubs".
In communities where the last bank branch has closed, a cooperative banking hub has opened in partnership with all the major banks, sometimes in conjunction with local post offices, libraries , and community centres.
At these hubs, customers of any bank can access their accounts, deposit cash and cheques, and withdraw money. Trickier enquiries are dealt with by a representative from one of each of the major banks who each visit once a week.
This development recognises concerns about access to cash for those who need it, and difficulties for small businesses trying to get change and deposit the money from their daily sales. The worry here being that some retailers could stop accepting cash if it becomes too burdensome to process.
The second project will sound revolutionary to those Canadians conditioned to how our banks set the agenda to serve their own purposes.
In Britain, the closure of bank branches and ATMs have put particular pressure on access to cash for those who need it.
So, new British law will confer on consumers and businesses the legal right to withdraw and deposit cash within "a reasonable distance" of their home or premises.
Because experts have suggested that there is a danger of cash infrastructure collapsing if it becomes uneconomical to process and transport, the British Treasury has said that people should not have to travel beyond a reasonable distance to withdraw or deposit money, even if they are in low population areas.
The "reasonable distance" geographic requirements would be set on the basis of cash access facilities being available within maximum distances of a minimum percentage of the population.
Initially, the Treasury suggests that people should not have to travel more than 1km!!!
How does this compare to the experience in rural Brant?!?!
And what does it say about the Scotland RBC branch's ridiculous claim, "We've closed, but we're not gone."?
The new County Council must follow the lead of communities like Hamilton where rural taxes are discounted by 20%. Extracting this tax overpayment from rural Brant has gone on for too long. We need to join together and forcefully make the point. If we want any of our priorities addressed … road safety, farmland preservation, community services … then we must unite and demand to be taken seriously. Please sign and help distribute this petition.