Welcome to the Canadian Consumer Handbook

Canadian consumers deal with a wide range of issues in an increasingly complex marketplace. Reliable information from credible sources is key to helping consumers better understand the choices they are making and become more confident in their decisions. Such information is also important for consumer affairs professionals providing advice to consumers.

The Canadian Consumer Handbook has been created by officials from the federal, provincial and territorial governments to help Canadians become better informed and more confident consumers. The Handbook offers information on topics such as contracts, housing and home renovations, identity theft and much more. Also, as consumer issues evolve, the Consumer Measures Committee conducts regular updates of this Handbook.

Among the updates for 2007 is the addition of a section on cellphones. As the number of Canadians purchasing a cellphone and cellphone service is on the rise, it is important to have access to information on this topic. Highlighted in this section is the need for consumers to understand what kind of cellphone user they are before going to the provider.

Another topic added to this year's Handbook is consumers and the environment. Many "Environmentally Responsible Consumer Tips" have been inserted throughout the Handbook to help consumers make more environmentally sustainable consumer choices.

Along with relevant consumer tips, the Handbook includes a directory of government and non-government contacts.

We believe that this Handbook will prove to be a useful reference for helping consumers in the marketplace, and provide assistance to consumer affairs professionals who offer information to their clients.

For more information on the Consumer Measures Committee, including other consumer information products, visit www.cmcweb.ca

Michael Jenkin, Consumer Measures Committee Co-Chair
and
Rob Phillips, Consumer Measures Committee Past Co-Chair

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. 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