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 of Canada Chooses 2021-22 Board of Directors
Consumers Council of Canada announced that on June 28 Don Mercer was re-elected as its President and three new members were appointed to its board of directors. Ashish Sharma joined the board and was chosen as Council Secretary. Sharma is a community organizer and...
Settlement Reached in HVAC Equipment Lease Class Action
A settlement agreement has been reached on behalf of class members to resolve a class action lawsuit related to HVAC equipment leases against Ontario Energy Group and Home Trust Company. The class action was commenced against the two companies on July 25, 2016. OEG...
Funding for Consumer Research Projects Announced
Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs announced the 21 projects that will be funded under its program for consumer organizations for the 2021-23 period. The Contributions Program for Non-Profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations is designed to provided funding for...
Key Milestone Achieved Towards Securing Reponse to Consumer Advocate Petition
The government of Canada has 45 days to respond to an e-petition calling for an independent Canadian Consumer Advocate, once that petition is presented to the House of Commons. The e-petition was filed February 9, with a term of 120 days to gain the 500 signatures...
On Demand Consumer Report Webinar
Consumers Council of Canada is hosting a special webinar introducing the final report of its two-year research project on the “On-Demand Consumer.” The May 20 Webinar will be held at 12 noon EDT, and is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. The Webinar is free...
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