Last month the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services laid charges against same-sex introduction company Entre-nous.
“In November 2008 the ministry laid six charges under the Consumer Protection Act 2002 against each of a corporation and an individual, by name of Entre-nous Consulting Inc and [Entre-nous employee] Patricia Salib, respectively, as a result of two consumer complaints,” says Stephen Puddister, the ministry’s issues and media relations analyst.
According to Puddister the case will have its first court date on Jan 19 in Scarborough Court.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further as the matter is before the courts,” he says.
According to Entre-nous’ entry in Ontario’s Consumer Protection Branch’s Consumer Beware list Salib and the company are each facing two charges for failure to deliver a valid contract, two charges for failing to provide a refund within 15 days and two charges for unfair practice. Penalties could include fines, restitution or jail time.
Last June a small-claims deputy judge found that Entre-nous’ contract was not entirely above board.
“In this case there can be no doubt that [Entre-nous’] form of contract is, at least in some aspects, one-sided as alleged by the plaintiff,” wrote Richard Priddle in the decision.
Priddle awarded the plaintiff, Toronto’s Terry Wong, a refund of half the fees he paid to the introduction service.
The Consumer Beware list is available online at Consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca.
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