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
Consumers Council President Named to FCAC Consumer Protection Role
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) today announced the appointment of Consumers Council of Canada President Don Mercer to a three-year term on its Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (CPAC). The FCAC ensures federally regulated financial entities, such...
Council Argues for Consumers’ Access to Class Action
Consumers Council of Canada presented to the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Justice Committee on June 10 to represent consumers in the debate over Ontario’s proposed changes to class action legislation. Ontario’s government introduced Bill 161 in early December. That...
Ontario’s Class Action Law Changes Under Fire
Proposed Ontario changes to class action laws are facing criticism that they follow U.S. laws too closely, and unfairly favour defendant interests at the expense of groups of consumers. The Ontario government introduced Bill 161 in early December. That bill included...
Financial Ombudsman Creates Consumer Interest Board Position
Canada’s Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) announced changes to its board of directors with the creation of a director to represent consumers. OBSI serves as a dispute resolver for Canada’s investment industry and some of its major banks. Consumers...
The Difficulties Consumers Have Being Heard, Respected
The difficulty of consumers making warranty claims and filing complaints – key elements of a recent Consumers Council of Canada research report – were highlighted in the May 27 national news broadcast by CBC’s The National. CBC’s online consumer protection service Go...
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