Welcome, Preface, and Notice to Readers
Welcome to the Canadian Consumer Handbook
Ministers responsible for consumer affairs at the federal, provincial
and territorial levels continue to be committed to producing this
reference book for you. They recognize the importance of consumers
having access to reliable information when making difficult decisions
in the marketplace.
Officials from all federal, provincial and territorial governments have pooled their knowledge of consumer problems and helpful consumer contacts into one volume. It is our hope that this cooperative effort will benefit consumers all across the country.
Today's marketplace offers consumers a broad array of products and services. To select among them wisely, consumers must understand their rights as consumers and the standards of quality they should expect.
This handbook, having found much success since its first publication in June 2002, offers information and advice to help you gain knowledge about consumer rights, make informed decisions and protect against unscrupulous merchants.
You will find points to consider, questions to ask and steps to take as you make purchases and sign contracts, or, if you are a consumer affairs professional, as you help consumers do these things.
Finally, for the most common type of consumer problems, the handbook includes corporate, consumer, and government and non-government contacts. These organizations are all part of the consumer affairs network.
We believe that this handbook will serve as a convenient reference as we strive to help consumers in the marketplace.
Michael Jenkin and Rob PhillipsConsumer Measures Committee Co-Chairs
Preface
Consumer protection is an important goal for federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada. The Consumer Measures Committee (CMC) has created the Canadian Consumer Handbook. In a spirit of cooperation, and to improve efficiency on the consumer front, the CMC was created under Chapter 8 of the Agreement on Internal Trade.
The CMC, which has a representative from the federal government and every province and territory, provides a forum for national cooperation to improve the marketplace for Canadian consumers by harmonizing laws and providing information.
Governments involved in this project were Canada, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The electronic format of this handbook will be updated periodically.
Notice to Readers
This handbook is intended to serve as a guide and cannot replace first-hand information. A listing in this handbook does not mean that the authors necessarily endorse or recommend the products and services of the agencies and organizations that are named.
The authors have made every effort to ensure that the information in this handbook is accurate at the time of publication. Send corrections, comments and suggestions to the address below:
This publication is available upon request in multiple formats. For additional copies of this publication, please contact:
Office of Consumer Affairs
Industry Canada
235 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Fax: (613) 952-6927
Email: consumer.information@ic.gc.ca
