About Consumer Protection Ontario – Administrative Authorities
Administrative authorities are responsible for ensuring that a number of Ontario’s consumer protection and public safety laws are applied and enforced.
Consumer Protection Ontario is an awareness program from Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and other public organizations, known as administrative authorities that promote consumer rights and public safety.
The ministry and these administrative authorities enforce a number of Ontario’s consumer protection and public safety laws, investigate alleged violations and handle complaints.
About the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
About consumer protection laws in Ontario
Administrative authorities
Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO)
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) oversees the funeral, transfer service, cemetery and crematorium sectors under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act.
Contact the (BAO for questions or complaints about a cemetery or crematorium operator or salesperson, or a funeral home, funeral director or transfer operator.
The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services will continue to be responsible for legislation, regulation, and for burial sites, war graves, cemetery closures and abandoned cemeteries. For information, contact the ministry toll-free at 1-800-889-9768.
TTY users can contact us at
Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO)
The Condominium Authority of Ontario provides condominium owners and residents, among others, with tools and information about living in a condo. It also manages and oversees the operations of the Condominium Authority Tribunal, which is responsible for resolving condominium-related disputes that are prescribed in regulation.
Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO)
The Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario is responsible for the mandatory licensing and regulation of condominium managers and condominium management providers under the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015.
Contact the CMRAO if you have questions, or to complain about a condominium manager or condominium management provider.
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
ESA enforces the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. It licenses electrical contractors and master electricians, conducts inspections of electrical installations and investigates electrical incidents.
Contact ESA if you have a complaint about a licensed electrical contractor or if you suspect that a person is acting as an electrical contractor or master electrician without an ESA licence.
Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority is responsible for the mandatory licensing and regulation of new home builders and vendors under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017. It also maintains the Ontario Builder Directory, which provides consumers with information about licensed new home builders and vendors.
Contact the HCRA if you have questions, or to complain about a new home builder or vendor.
Ontario One Call (One Call)
One Call is responsible for administering the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act.
Contact One Call to request the location of underground infrastructure before digging or excavating.
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)
OMVIC enforces the Motor Vehicles Dealers Act. Under the act, it registers motor vehicle dealers and salespeople and administers a fund that can compensate consumers who have lost money after buying from registered dealers.
Contact OMVIC if you have a complaint about a registered motor vehicle dealers or salespeople or would like to make a claim under its compensation fund.
Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)
RECO regulates real estate brokers and salespersons and enforces a code of ethics under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act.
Contact RECO if you have a complaint against a real estate broker or salesperson.
Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)
The RHRA administers the Retirement Homes Act in Ontario. It licenses, regulates and inspects retirement homes and enforces the act. It also maintains a public register about applicants and licensees.
Contact the RHRA at 1-855-ASK-RHRA for information on residents’ care and safety, and to file a complaint or report about a retirement home.
The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility oversees the RHRA.
Tarion Warranty Corporation
Tarion is responsible for administering the warranties and protections for owners and purchasers of new homes provided under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. New home builders and vendors must enroll every new home (including condominium units) with Tarion.
Tarion is no longer responsible for regulating new home builders and vendors. Effective February 1, 2021, the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) is the regulator of new home builders and vendors under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017.
Contact Tarion if you have a question or complaint about a new home builder, vendor or Ontario’s new home warranty and protection program.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
TSSA enforces safety laws for:
- elevators, amusement rides and ski lifts
- boilers, pressure vessels and their operating engineers
- natural gas, petroleum, propane and other fuels and equipment
Contact TSSA to report a safety violation in one of these sectors.
Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO)
TICO regulates all Ontario-registered travel retailers. It also administers a fund that can reimburse consumers if their registered travel agent has major financial trouble.
Contact TICO if you have a question or complaint about a registered travel retailer or would like to make a claim under its compensation fund.
Vintners Quality Alliance Ontario (VQAO)
VQAO is Ontario’s wine appellation authority. It enforces winemaking and labelling standards for wines made from 100% Ontario grown grapes and marketed under the VQA banner.
Contact VQAO if you have a question about Ontario’s wine industry.
