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
Small Business Support For Expanded Consumer Advocate Role Exists
Small businesses see the merit of a Canadian Consumer Advocate to give Canadian consumers a “voice that matters” in public policy development, according to the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA). The CJA is the national trade association of the jewellery and watch...
Council Sets Out Goals for Ontario Consumer Protection Act Revision
The Ontario government signalled its intent to update the Consumer Protection Act earlier this year. Consumers Council of Canada made six major recommendations in its paper in response. Many of the Council’s recommendations parallel those made in recent submissions to...
A National Advocate for Consumers Is Needed
Consumers Council of Canada is urging the Government of Canada to act swiftly to keep its commitment to create a new agency able to rebuild consumer confidence and protect consumers – the Canadian Consumer Advocate. The Council has published Time for a Real Federal...
Council: Expand Consumer Advocate Role
Consumers Council of Canada has called for an expanded mandate for the federal government’s new Canadian Consumer Advocate and greater recognition of and support for consumer representation in creating policies and standards. The Council made a submission to...
A September Like No Other
September normally marks a change in household habits as children return to school. This September promises to be unlike any other. It is still unclear what a “return to school” means as school boards grapple with how to educate while keeping the students, teachers...
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