About the Office of Consumer Affairs

As part of Industry Canada, we believe that ensuring the promotion and protection of the consumer's ability to make confident, well-informed decisions in the marketplace is not only in each of our own best interests, but also helps ensure a more productive and innovative economy. The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) works with both the public and private sectors, using information, research and innovative policy instruments to complement and support consumer protection regulation.

In the coming years, we will work with our partners in the areas of consumer education and awareness and to promote a greater understanding of the power of the consumer in the Canadian economy. The OCA will also continue to renew our internationally acclaimed information service, consumerinformation.ca, a groundbreaking strategic partnership among more than 400 federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial ministries and NGOs.

We invite you to browse through this section of the site to learn more about the Office of Consumer Affairs.

More information on the Office of Consumer Affairs

Mandate
Our Approach
Consumer Measures Committee
Contributions Program
Contact Information

Office of Consumer Affairs Work Plan 2007-2009
This plan will guide the efforts of the Office of Consumer Affairs for the next two years.

Mandate

Promoting the interests of Canadian consumers

Under the Department of Industry Act, the Minister of Industry has a statutory responsibility to promote and protect consumer interests throughout Canada. The Minister is also responsible for improving productivity and innovation.

The Office of Consumer Affairs responds to these responsibilities by building trust in the marketplace so that consumers can both protect themselves and be able to confidently and knowledgeably drive demand for innovative products and services at competitive prices.

Our Approach

OCA works to fulfill its mandate by focussing on the following areas of activity:

• Conducting policy research and analysis on emerging consumer issues;
• Working with consumers to make sure they have the information and tools needed to protect their interests, while driving industry to be more innovative and productive;
• Working with business to develop consumer friendly business practices, in part through the development of voluntary codes and standards;
• Supporting consumer groups and NGOs to ensure they provide effective input into policy development and play their role in creating demanding consumers; and
• Supporting and harmonizing with provincial and territorial partners appropriate legislative and regulatory reforms.

Consumer Measures Committee (CMC)

Created under Chapter Eight of the Agreement on Internal Trade, the CMC provides a federal-provincial-territorial forum for national cooperation to improve the marketplace for Canadian consumers, through harmonization of laws, regulations and practices and through actions to raise public awareness. The CMC is co-chaired by the Director General, OCA.

Contributions Program for Non-profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations

The Contributions Program provides consumer and voluntary groups with the means to produce high quality and timely research on consumer issues affecting the marketplace, and to develop policy advice on these issues that are both credible and useful to decision-makers.

Contact Information

Consumer Complaints:

To lodge an effective complaint about a consumer product or service, please consult the Complaint Courier section of ConsumerInformation.ca

Public Enquiries:

For general inquiries, or for technical assistance with our on-line services, please contact:

Office of Consumer Affairs
Industry Canada
235 Queen Street, 6^th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5
Tel: (613) 946-2576
Fax: (613) 952-6927
Email: consumer.information@ic.gc.ca

Media Enquiries:

For all media enquiries please call (613) 943-2502.