Harinder Takhar, MPP (Mississauga-Erindale) is appointed as the new Ontario Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services, the ministry responsible for administering the Ontario Collection Agencies Act and the Ontario Debt Collectors Act.

The Hon. Harinder Takhar is the Ontario Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services from July 8, 2008, to June 24, 2009.

From the first paragraph

"The focus of our meeting yesterday was to discuss a possible resolution of the conduct application issued against Ms. Natale. While Ms. Natale may have been under the impression at the outset of the meeting that this matter could be resolved outside of the disciplinary context, I hope she now clearly understand that a conduct application has been authorized and I am proceeding on that basis."

From the third paragraph

"However, Ms. Natale would like to take the opportunity to revise her business model regarding her relationship with Global in an effort to convince me that she is now onside with the Rules of Professional Conduct. While I will give full consideration to any proposed business model that Ms. Natale provides, I am mindful of the significant obstacles she faces. As we have discussed, the Society is not as much concerned with the individual complaints as it is with the manner in which Ms. Natale has both structured and conducts her collections practice. I am also mindful of our discussions on June 2, 2009, wherein we reflected that in order to satisfy the Society, Ms. Natale would likely have to modify her collections practice to such a degree that it would no longer be financially feasible for Global and her."

"As per the terms of both agreements, the Three (3) month notice period shall commence immediately."

"Mr. Pitkin also advised us that when he met with Global and Ms. Natale to discuss the concerns set out in his October 2008 letter to Ontario collection agencies, Ms. Natale agreed that she would no longer send out draft statements of claim on behalf of Global and that if she engaged in this practice, she would do so only on behalf of the creditor having first formed a solicitor-client relationship with that creditor. In Mr. Pitkin's view, Ms. Natale clearly understood what was expected of her. This is of obvious concern to the Law Society as it would appear to contradict the manner in which Ms. Natale has in fact conducted her law practice since the fall of 2008, treating Global as her client for all debts as opposed to the individual creditors. Again, we would invite Ms. Natale to make any representation in response to Mr. Pitkin's assertions."

"Termination from Global Credit & Collection Inc.
Global Credit & Collection Inc. (Global) did not specify what section of the Retainer Agreement (agreement) they were relying upon when they decided to terminate Ms. Natale. On November 30, 2010, Ms. Natale was verbally advised that, due to the recent negative media publicity, Global faced reputational risk by continuing to rely on her firm and accordingly they terminated the agreement. Ms. Natale was also provided with written notice on the same date which did not reference a section of the agreement. Please find enclosed a copy of this correspondence. Finally, this will confirm that Natale Law Offices has no active collection files with any client other than Global as of the date of this letter."

Giles Gherson is appointed as the Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services, the ministry responsible for administering the Ontario Collection Agencies Act.

With no advance notice and no public announcement of any kind whatsoever, Brian Pitkin, Ontario's Registrar of Collection Agencies, the senior civil servant responsible for administering the Ontario Collection Agencies Act, retires after a 35-year career with the Ontario Government.

Gary Demers is appointed the Acting Ontario Registrar of Collection Agencies.