A Canadian Consumer Advocate
Consumers Council of Canada has recommended the Government of Canada act swiftly to keep its commitment to create a new agency to rebuild consumer confidence and protect consumers – the Canadian Consumer Advocate.
Governments Must Re-focus on Protecting People
Canadians are quickly learning how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed shopping, working, health care and their economic prospects. A safe marketplace has never been more important. Consumer confidence and fair market practices are critical to Canada’s economic recovery. Canada needs a plan – and fast – to restore both.
A National Agency for Consumers
Canadian consumers deserve a national agency that has the sole objective to argue for consumers, advance their needs, and stress the relationship of those needs to the decision-making processes within agencies of government.
The economy is for consumers, not just producers. The federal government should expand its current plan for the Canadian Consumer Advocate to ensure it is an independent agency answerable to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The Advocate should be capable of promoting meaningful engagement with and on behalf of consumers.
Constant, Capable Advocacy Needed to Protect Consumer Protections
Canada needs its government to keep the promise it made in 2019 and hold ministers accountable for the mandate given to them to establish the Canadian Consumer Advocate and ensure it can capably protect consumers’ interests.
Related Publications
Time For A Real Federal Consumer Advocate – This report by the Consumers Council of Canada highlights the reasons and benefits for expanding the role of the Government of Canada’s proposed Canadian Consumer Advocate beyond receiving complaints. It argues the government needs to address the present patchwork and isolated responses to consumer needs and vulnerabilities, which will not meet the challenges consumers face in a post COVID-19 economic recovery, and beyond.
Consumers Council of Canada Parliamentary Submission: Federal Budget 2021 – A submission to the Standing Committee on Finance of the Parliament of Canada by the Consumers Council of Canada in response to its pre-budget consultations concerning the 2021 federal budget.
Super Complainers: Greater Public Inclusiveness in Government Consumer Complaint Handling – This research reveals consumer views on third-party consumer complaint management systems (consumer complaint handling systems operated by entities other than private-sector businesses) and their receptivity to alternative systems where greater transparency, and consumer advocacy group participation is encouraged.
A ‘Sustained Institutional Role’ for Consumer Organizations in ‘Internal Trade’ Harmonization – This research found the Canadian public expects well-resourced consumer groups to be part of any stakeholder process attached to negotiations among the federal and provincial governments concerning internal trade.
News About Consumer Representation
Canadian Consumer Advocate Petition Launched
A national citizens petition has been launched urging the House of Commons to establish an independent Canadian Consumer Advocate answerable to Parliament to advance consumer interests and represent the consumer voice. The e-petition will give Canadians an opportunity...
Evaluating Consumer Experiences in 2020
Do you have more or less confidence than a year ago in the supply of food? In the health care system? How much do you trust restaurants to treat you fairly and maintain your safety? These are just some of the questions the Consumers Council of Canada is posing to its...
Public Comments Sought in Ontario Consumer Protection Review
Ontario consumers can express their opinion on how to improve the province’s Consumer Protection Act until February 1. The Ontario government has prepared a discussion document that sets out 15 proposals to revise the act, which governs most personal and household...
Ottawa Re-Commits to Canadian Consumer Advocate After Cabinet Change
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re-iterated the federal government’s commitment to establishing a Canadian Consumer Advocate as part of the mandate letter issued to incoming cabinet minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Champagne replaced Navdeep Bains as Minister of...
Council Report Delivered for Ministry Review
Consumers Council of Canada has delivered its submission to Ontario’s Review of the Consumer Protection Act to Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer services, which is reviewing the Act. The Council published the document in late October, making six major...
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