The Consumers section contains information on a variety of subjects available for consumers including resources, services, tips and online tools.
Canadian Consumer Handbook
The Canadian Consumer Handbook offers tips, questions and advice on consumers' rights, along with contacts for help with common problems. It includes information on complaining effectively; consumer tips on items such as consumer privacy, door-to-door sales, energy efficiency, product safety, misleading advertising, and telemarketing; and a directory of organizations including government contacts, consumer groups, and Better Business Bureaus.
Canadian Consumer Information Gateway
The Canadian Consumer Information Gateway is a government on-line initiative that includes information on programs and services offered by 400 federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial ministries, and non-governmental organization partners working in the consumer mandate.
You will find everything from lists of product and food recalls, and alerts on the latest consumer scams and frauds, to a wide array of interactive financial calculators that can help you decide which bank or credit card is right for you, or whether you should buy or lease your next vehicle. Additionally, it offers valuable tips on how to protect yourself in various consumer situations, such as shopping on-line, investing, dealing with telemarketers, door-to-door salespeople, or renovation contractors, having your car repaired, and much more.
The Gateway's Complaint Courier tool educates consumers on the best steps to take in order to complain effectively. Its innovative Letter Wizard helps consumers prepare complete and effective letters of complaint simply by filling in a customized template. Its powerful database automatically channels complaints to the appropriate agency.
Competition Bureau — Consumer Information
The Consumer Info page on the Competition Bureau website provides information on warnings, news, publications, and other consumer information topics.
Consumer Measures Committee (CMC)
The Consumer Measures Committee (CMC) provides a federal–provincial–territorial forum for national cooperation to improve the marketplace for Canadian consumers, through the harmonization of laws, regulations and practices, and through actions to raise public awareness. The website includes information on the following CMC working groups:
ebiz.enable — Consumer Protection
Electronic commerce raises many issues of consumer protection that have legal implications. The Consumer Protection section of ebiz.enable includes reports prepared by the Working Group on Electronic Commerce and Consumers. Of particular interest to small and medium-sized businesses, the reports advise businesses on the steps they need to take to protect consumers in e-commerce transactions.
Measurement Canada — Consumer Page
Measurement Canada's Consumer Page includes information about Measurement Canada's mission, programs, services and publications. It also describes the various ways in which Measurement Canada can assist you; for example, if you suspect you have received inaccurate measurement and have been unable to resolve the matter with the store or service station owner or utility, you can contact Measurement Canada for assistance.
Office of Consumer Affairs
Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs website includes an Information Pathfinder (which contains links to the Canadian Consumer Information Gateway and the Canadian Consumer Handbook), tips for Complaining Effectively, and tips for managing your finances in the Being a Smart Consumer section.
Also included is consumer information on:
The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy has information for consumers on dealing with personal bankruptcy and debt including their publication Dealing with Debt: A Consumer's Guide.
Also included are:
Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada — Student Budget
The Student Budget section of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada website contains information on personal financial management for post-secondary students. It provides tips on expenses and on how to save money, links to some useful websites, and an online Student Budget chart that you can download and fill in.
PhoneBusters: The Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre
PhoneBusters is jointly operated by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Industry Canada's Competition Bureau is one of its partners. The PhoneBusters website includes information on how to recognize a potential telephone scam, where to report it and how to help stop it.
Privacy — The Digital Economy in Canada — Consumer Information
The Consumer Information page provides links for consumers to read up on how they can protect their privacy in the digital economy. Consumers should be aware of the consequences involved in making their personal information available, their rights to privacy, and the ways that they can protect themselves against privacy threats, as well as avoid identity theft.
Spectrum Management and Telecommunications — Consumer Information
The Consumer Information section on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications page contains information on solving telecommunications interference problems and a wireless low power devices fact sheet.
Information on obtaining an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate, call signs, contacts and additional information can be found on the Amateur Radio Service site.
Strategis — Consumer Information
The Consumer Information page on Strategis can also be of help.
On-line tools for consumers including the Financial Service Charges Calculator, Credit Card Costs Calculator, and a Fraud Quiz are also available.
Users can also check the link to the Canadian Consumer Handbook, a handy guide which provides information on consumer tips and a directory of organizations to serve you.
Additional Resources
Government Announces Measures to Address Impact of Higher Energy Costs, October 6, 2005
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