Ottawa councillor wants to crack down on payday loans

Ottawa city councillor Mathieu Fleurywants to limit the number of payday loan stores in low-income areas and wants the province to give the city the tools to make it happen.

Fleury who representsRideau-Vanier introduced a motion that was passed in council Wednesday calling on stricter regulations.

Fleurysays he will beasking the provincial government to amend the Municipal Actso that the citycancontrol the zoning of payday lenders in an effortto limit theirlocation and number.

He also wants to look at amendingthe licensing requirements for these types of businesses.

Fleury said on his website he recognizedthe impact thathigh interestloans haveon thefinanciallyvulnerable.At council, heacknowledgedseveral community groupswho helped develop themotion.

"I wanted to thankthe members of ACORN, members of the community associationin Vanier--as well as the BIA in Vanierin helping us," said Fleury.

The motion would only apply to payday loan stores that open in the future. It doesnot impactexisting establishments.