Help Library

Consumer take care

Before you buy, do a thorough job of researching the product or service that interests you, weighing carefully its advantages and disadvantages in terms of price and performance. Check carefully that you are dealing with a reputable party and that you know the terms and conditions involved in doing business with them. Many ways exist to do that research.

In Ontario, for example, the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services maintains a database of businesses with compliance issues under the Consumer Protection Act to increase consumers awareness. You can check the database before you do business.

Pursue Your Rights Effectively

The Consumers Council of Canada stands up for your rights as a consumer and invites you to become involved in its mission to help consumers, businesses and governments work together for a more effective marketplace.

The Council encourages open, honest feedback and that’s why it always works to make it easier for you to learn about your rights and the steps you can take to resolve issues.

However, complaints are not processed through this website. We understand the frustration you may feel if your rights are not being respected.

This website offers you three opportunities:

General guidance about making a complaint
Assistance finding third party organizations that may assist with a complaint
An opportunity to inform the Council about the general nature of your problem to assist the Council in its search for opportunities to improve consumer protection in the future. (Do not expect the Council to respond concerning your particular complaint.) You can have the satisfaction of knowing you have made the difficulty you experienced known to a national consumer group.

The effective way to complain

As a general rule, complain first to the place where you had the problem.
Be clear about the nature of the problem. It helps to have documentation (receipts etc.).
Know what you consider to be the solution to the problem.
If you do not receive satisfaction, then take your problem to the next level in the company and on to the top if you must. But remember, it is important to start at the local level.
Here is some guidance from Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs about how to manage a consumer complaint.

Options for third-party resolution

If you’ve been unsuccessful at resolving your problem directly with the provider of the goods or services involved, then you may want to consider your options for third party resolution. Options exist for the following areas:

Television/Telephone/Cellphone/Internet Access

Travel

Explore other assistance options

Tell Us About Your Consumer Experience

Consumers Council of Canada does not become involved in representing individual consumers concerning their specific problems, but it is interested in learning about both difficulties and great experiences consumers encounter in the marketplace. Tell us about your consumer experience if you would like to assist the Council’s efforts to protect consumers.