EDMONTON -- The Alberta government has fast-tracked increased penalties to try to discourage scammers from taking advantage of people rebuilding after heavy flooding.
Fines are now set at $100,000 for unscrupulous business practices.
The changes were originally to be made this fall to the Fair Trading Act.
Service Alberta Minister Manmeet Bhullar is reminding businesses to treat customers fairly and to not misrepresent their qualifications.
A government website has tips on hiring home inspectors and renovation companies.
Flooding in southern Alberta last month displaced more than 100,000 people and final repair costs are expected to be in the billions of dollars.
