Four Ontario politicians have re-introduced a private member’s bill calling for the creation of a provincial consumer watchdog, saying the current level of consumer protection is not adequate.

Bill 122, Ontario Consumer Watchdog Act, 2023 was introduced by New Democrat MPP Tom Rakocevic, and three other members. The Act is nearly identical to similar legislation proposed in late 2021 by Rakocevic and three different caucus members.

The proposal is part of a wave of Ontario NDP private member bills that focus on different consumer protection issues. That stream includes bills to ban iGaming advertising, liability for climate-related harms and better enforcement of the tobacco tax, among others.

In his address introducing the consumer advocate bill, Rakocevic noted that his previous attempt to create an advocate who would have the backs of consumers and the resources and powers to stand up to Goliath was thwarted when the government “voted on the side of Goliath”. He called on members to support this bill to bring “real consumer protection to Ontario” because “people are paying more for less” and getting “gouged, ripped off and taken advantage of.”

The pre-amble to the bill notes that anti-consumer activities and practices are “a real and serious problem in Ontario”, and cites price gouging, a lack of transparency in the marketplace, products and services that fail to provide value for money and remedies that are not available, accessible or reliable.

General consumer protection in Ontario is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public and Business Service. Its the top-listed “what we do” item on its home page is to “lead consumer protection, public safety and business law; promote a fair, safe and informed marketplace for consumers and business.” Its responsibilities includes Consumer Protection Ontario, which identifies as “an awareness program” from the Ministry and other administrative authorities “that promotes consumer rights and public safety.”

The Bill would require the Minister to establish a watchdog organization that is independent of government, responsible for overseeing consumer protection matters in Ontario, and includes investigating businesses and consumer complaints, administering penalties and publishing complaint statistics and investigation results.