Premier Doug Ford’s anti-profiteering push sparks almost 20,000 price-gouging complaints
So many complaints about coronavirus price-gouging are flooding into the Ontario government that staff have been re-assigned to help process them.
As of last Thursday, 19,515 complaints and inquiries have been lodged with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
Of those, 17,833 came through a new online portal launched by Premier Doug Ford on March 28.
"Some staff from other units within the ministry have been assisting with processing the significant amount of complaints received through the website on price-gouging," Government and Consumer Services Minister Lisa Thompson's office said in a statement to the Star.
"Inquiries and complaints have focused on the four necessary goods most often cited by consumers: hand sanitizer, N95 masks, disinfecting wipes, and toilet paper," said Thompson's office.
"Consumer Protection Ontario is reviewing these responses and is authorized to action complaints to local law enforcement where appropriate. We hope to provide additional information in the days ahead."
It is not yet known how many -if any - charges have been laid.
Ford, who said on March 27 he was "furious" about any attempts at profiteering, was motivated to act after a Toronto gourmet supermarket was selling Lysol disinfectant wipes for $29.99, which usually retail for a fraction of that.
"We're coming after, we're going to come after you hard - and I'm going to protect the people of this province," the premier said at the time, taking the unusual step of naming the grocer in question for what he termed "disgusting" conduct.
"I have zero - zero - tolerance for price-gouging. I'm calling them out - Pusateri's. I hear that they're selling hand wipes for $30 a tin. That's disgusting, absolutely disgusting," said Ford.
"A company like that would be selling hand wipes for that cost? People would have the nerve to actually jack up their prices to $30 a container for hand wipes? It's beyond belief," he said.
"Nothing gets me more furious than someone taking advantage of the public that are in desperate need of these items. That hits a nerve when people are being taken advantage of."
Hours after being shown a viral photo of the high-priced wipes, Ford assured reporters he would be "bringing this to cabinet and we're going to put an order that it is going to be illegal for price-gouging."
Under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, it is illegal for businesses and individuals to be "fixing prices (or) charging unconscionable prices for necessary goods, services and resources."
Scofflaws face steep fines ranging from $750 to $100,000 and a year in jail for individuals, $500,000 and incarceration for company directors or officers, and $10 million for corporations.
Necessary goods include masks and gloves used as personal protective equipment, non-prescription medications for the treatment of coronavirus symptoms, disinfecting agents intended for cleaning, and personal hygiene products, like soap and toilet paper.
While some complainants are citing higher prices on items like turkey and other food items, those are not classified as necessary under the legislation.
The same day as Ford called out the posh grocery store, Pusateri's president and CEO Frank Luchetta said his company's wipe-pricing was a mistake.
"While no excuse, our stores are facing immense pressure on all levels of operation. As a result of this mounting pressure, critical elements were overlooked including the incorrect pricing of the product," said Luchetta.
"This was our mistake, our error, our oversight and we apologize to everyone impacted," he said.
Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie