A consumer group is urgently calling on the federal government to follow other jurisdictions in the U.S and Europe and bring in legislation to stem the slide toward a cashless society. (new window), Option Consommateurs published one of the first deep dives into who is still using coins and paper money. Carlos Castiblanco, an economist, says Canada needs to follow in the steps of other countries and create legislation to protect cash. Canada must avoid sleepwalking into a cashless future and instead recognize the risk of exacerbating financial exclusion of those most vulnerable. In Ireland, the law would require a cash option at businesses like pharmacies and grocery stores that sell essential products and services.
