Frustration, confusion over P.E.I. bike rebate program

Practically 4 months after it was unveiled within the price range, Islanders don’t have any particulars about P.E.I.’s new bicycle rebate program, which is inflicting confusion and frustration for retailers and clients. 

It is even led to at the very least one retailer issuing rebates on the checkout earlier than this system has launched.

Within the provincial price range, $500,000 was put aside for the $100 rebates, however neither an official begin date nor program particulars have been introduced to the general public.

“The Division is conscious of the confusion that happened final week with some retailers who started providing a motorcycle rebate in retailer,” stated officers from the Division of Setting, Power and Local weather Motion in an e mail.

“The bike rebate program has not but launched and we’re at the moment ready on Treasury Board approval in addition to signed participation contracts from these retailers. Till permitted by Treasury Board, no discussions could be made on reimbursement.”

Brett Doyle, proprietor of Outer Restrict Sports activities in Charlottetown, stated he was not the retailer in query, however he shares within the confusion. 

“There’s positively some rising frustration,” he stated. “You understand, a few of these clients have been ready since March after they first heard about this, and a few of them have been pushing aside bike purchases since then.” 

“Each day we’re getting 20 both cellphone calls or questions in retailer, ‘when is it? when’s it rolling out?’ and most occasions we’ve nothing to inform them,” Doyle stated.

Retailers increase points

Some particulars of this system, like tentative begin dates, rebate quantities and potential value thresholds had been shared with retailers in session. This system is being rolled out by the division together with the Summerhill Group, an Ontario-based guide.

Division minister Steven Myers was not out there for an interview Tuesday, however on Might 17, Myers instructed CBC Information that the guide was nonetheless working with bike retailers on to finalize this system particulars.

He stated no contracts had been signed up to now, however the authorities was dedicated to distributing the rebate on the time of sale, that means Islanders would have the price knocked off their complete instantly, and retailers would apply for the rebate by means of the province.

Doyle stated the extra hours spent every week liaising and making ready have been troublesome for his enterprise, and he expects that to extend when this system truly launches.

“We’re like each different enterprise the place we’ve labour shortages, we’re brief staffed and we simply do not have the manpower to have any extra duties pushed again on us, in order that’s most likely the place our frustration lies,” he stated.

“We’re actually excited for this program and we expect it is nice and we’re completely happy to see it, however we simply do not have the manpower to do the federal government’s job or the purchasers’ job to do the rebate.”

Doyle stated an alternate answer could be to have Islanders apply on to the federal government for reimbursement. 

Greens slam delays

However Official Opposition critic for finance Hannah Bell stated the Greens agree with rebating on the level of sale, particularly to accommodate low-income Islanders, however stay upset within the execution.

“This might have been such a win, , for individuals, for households to have the ability to go and luxuriate in being outdoors collectively and that is who I see is de facto affected by this,” she stated.

“If you happen to can afford a $1,500 mountain bike, this rebate isn’t going to make a giant distinction in whether or not you select to purchase one or not, however if you wish to purchase a brand new bike in your child, this might have been the distinction between you getting that bike or not.”

Bell stated authorities ought to have consulted with retailers another way.

“I’ve heard from some retailers who stated it is simply a lot work, there’s a lot paperwork concerned. They will have to hold the price of that — giving that rebate out — till they’ll get the cash again. And for a small enterprise, that is so much to ask,” she stated. 

“What authorities does time and again is that they’ve introduced this program after which they’ve designed it with out speaking to anyone, so that they did not go and ask any of the retailers make this work for them. 

“Retailers have programs up and operating already, and the concept that you’ll inform them how that is going to work with out having requested them for his or her enter is de facto disrespectful,” she stated.

We expect it is nice and we’re completely happy to see it, however we simply do not have the manpower to do the federal government’s job or the purchasers’ job to do the rebate— Brett Doyle

 Myers stated he’s dedicated to launching this system earlier than the beginning of summer season.

“At that time, we will certainly have a program operating, however I hope to have it up and operating a lot faster than that, however we’ve to do that the appropriate means,” he instructed CBC Information in Might.

“We’ve to be cautious that we’re not going to depart anyone behind, and that is why we’re negotiating the best way that we’re.

“On the finish of the day, I imagine Islanders are going to be pleased with it.”