Consumer Protection in Canada
Both the federal and provincial governments believe that business, consumers and government each have a role to play in making sure our marketplace is fair for everyone. Laws can set and monitor the standards, and business can operate openly and fairly, but it is a well-informed consumer who is best able to make wise marketplace decisions.
Table of Contents
Federal Government Responsibilities
The federal government has assumed responsibility for national marketplace standards and for ensuring a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace for producers, traders and consumers. Current federal consumer statutes cover product safety (except electrical equipment), competition, labelling and weights and measures. Federal statutes, naturally, apply throughout Canada. In practice, federal government is responsible for national standards:
Provincial Government Responsibilities
Provincial statutes cover such matters as the conditions of sale, guarantees and licensing. Generally speaking, services are regulated by the provinces or, in some cases, by municipalities.
Most provinces have a statute to control unfair business practices.
Provincial Acts vary from province to province, however, the protection given to consumers is broadly similar (but not identical) across the country.Provincial governments are responsible for contractual matters and most sectoral issues:
- Credit Unions
- Electrical safety
- Guarantees)
- Licensing of traders
- Sale of goods and services
- Structural safety
Shared Responsibilities and Harmonization
Company registration
- Industry Canada - Corporations Canada
- Provinces
Financial institutions
Misleading advertising
- Industry Canada - Competition Bureau
- Provinces
