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What is the government's role in protecting my consumer rights?

The federal and provincial governments are responsible for protecting consumer rights.

The federal government is responsible for creating marketplaces that are fair, efficient and competitive for producers, traders and consumers. The Office of Consumer Affairs, which is part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, is responsible for this.

The federal government is also responsible for the safety of food products. This includes food labelling and advertising. They also inspect food, plants and animals at Canada's borders. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for this. The federal government also oversees telecommunications. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates internet, phone and TV services.

The provincial government is responsible for matters, such as as the conditions of sale, business practices, public safety and licensing. Services are mainly regulated by provinces or, in some cases, by municipalities. The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is responsible for this in Ontario. In most cases, if you are a victim of a scam or unfair business practices, you can file a complaint with this Ministry. Consumer Protection Ontario provides information about how to protect yourself as a consumer and how to file a claim.

For More Information

• Consumer Information - This site has consumer protection information from over 25 government agencies. From Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs.
• Consumer Protection Ontario - This website has important information about consumer protection and how to protect yourself from scams. From the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.