Canadian consumer group PIAC might shut down due to monetary concerns

It’s an organization whose name might not be commonplace, but that influences the lives of Canadians nonetheless.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is a not-for-profit organization that works to advocate for Canadian consumers and their interests by “working with government departments, independent tribunals and related organizations.”

While the group is known for its consumer advocacy within all industries — including the energy and privacy sectors — PIAC is known within telecom circles for lobbying agencies like the CRTC as well as Industry Canada, in order to campaign on behalf of Canadian consumers.

Now, it seems like the PIAC is on the verge of shuttering the work it has done since 1976.

According to Cartt, PIAC sent out an email last week explaining that the organization will be forced to cease its operations if it’s unable to raise enough funds by the end of the year.

“This crisis has been caused by factors generally affecting all public interest groups, such as: increases scrutiny of public interest interventions before regulatory boards; flat or falling government funding for consumer research; donor fatigue; unfunded consultation inundation; and increased CRA scrutiny,” reads an excerpt from the email, which was also received by MobileSyrup.

Cartt reported that PIAC is currently waiting for approximately $150,000 in cost claims decisions.

PIAC also reportedly needs approximately $50,000 by February 2017, in order to continue paying its staff. The organization also needs $200,000 in order to eliminate its current deficit.

Header image courtesy of Flickr user Leanne.

Source: Cartt