Canadian Consumer Handbook 2008-2009

Government Consumer Affairs Offices

Below is contact information for consumer affairs offices across the country. Staff in these offices can help you with any consumer problem, but do check the list of other government offices and non-government consumer organizations in this directory to see whether there is another organization that can help you.

Federal Government

Office of Consumer Affairs

As part of Industry Canada, the Office of Consumer Affairs works with both the public sector and private sector, using information, research and innovative policy instruments to complement and support consumer protection regulation. We work with our partners in the areas of consumer education and awareness to promote a greater understanding of the power of the consumer in the Canadian economy.

235 Queen Street
Ottawa Ontario  K1A 0H5
Fax: 613-952-6927
Email: consumer.information@ic.gc.ca
Website: www.consumer.ic.gc.ca

Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (for non-food products), the Precious Metals Marking Act and the Textile Labelling Act. The Bureau's role is to promote and maintain fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality services. The organization investigates anti-competitive practices and promotes compliance with the laws under its jurisdiction. If you or someone you know has been the victim of deceptive business practices, you should contact the Bureau or e-mail at the coordinates below. You can also send information in through the Bureau's website.

50 Victoria Street
Gatineau Quebec  K1A 0C9
Telephone: (819) 997-4282
Toll Free: 1-800-348-5358
TDD: 1-800-642-3844
Fax: 819-997-0324
Email: compbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca
Website: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

Across Canada

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada works to protect and educate consumers in the area of financial services, providing consumer information and overseeing financial institutions to ensure that they comply with federal consumer protection measures.

6^th Floor, 427 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa Ontario  K1R 1B9
Telephone: 613-996-5454
Toll-free: 1-866-461-3222
TTY: 613-947-7771
Toll-free: 1-866-914-6097
Fax: 613-941-1436
Toll-free: 1-866-814-2224
Website: www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca

Provincial and Territorial Governments

Alberta

Service Alberta
Consumer Contact Centre
17^th Floor, TD Tower
10888–102 Avenue
Edmonton Alberta  T5J 2Z1
Telephone: 780-427-4088
Toll-free: 1-877-427-4088
Email: governmentservices@gov.ab.ca
Website: www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca

British Columbia

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit organization that operates at arm's length from government. On July 4, 2004, the Authority assumed responsibility for the oversight of business practices and consumer protection in British Columbia, functions previously performed by the Consumer Services Division of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia.

Consumer Protection BC
5th Floor, 1019 Wharf Street
PO Box 9244
Victoria British Columbia  V8W 9J2
Telephone: 604-320-1667
Toll-free: 1-888-564-9963
Fax: 250-920-7181
Email: info@consumerprotectionbc.ca
Website: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca

Manitoba

Consumers' Bureau
Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Manitoba Finance
302–258 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg Manitoba  R3C 0B6
Telephone: 204-945-3800
Toll-free: 1-800-782-0067
Fax: 204-945-0728
Email: consumersbureau@gov.mb.ca
Website: www.gov.mb.ca/finance/cca/consumb

New Brunswick

Rentalsman and Consumer Affairs
Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs
Centennial Building
PO Box 6000
Fredericton New Brunswick  E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-453-2659
Fax: 506-444-4494
Website: www.gnb.ca/0062/rentalsman/index-e.asp

Newfoundland and Labrador

Trade Practices Division
Department of Government Services
5 Mews Place
PO Box 8700
St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-2600
Toll-free: 1-877-968-2600
Fax: 709-729-6998
Email: gslinfo@gov.nl.ca
Website: www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/tp

Northwest Territories

Consumer Affairs
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Suite 400, 5201–50th Avenue
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife Northwest Territories  X1A 3S9
Telephone: 867-873-7125
Fax: 867-873-0609
Email: michael_gagnon@gov.nt.ca
Website: www.maca.gov.nt.ca/operations/ consumer_affairs/index.html

Nova Scotia

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
Public Enquiries
Mail Room, 8 South, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax Nova Scotia  B3J 3K5
Telephone: 902-424-5200
Toll-free: 1-800-670-4357
Fax: 902-424-0720
Email: askus@gov.ns.ca
Website: www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr

Nunavut

Consumer Affairs
Department of Community and Government Services
PO Box 440
Baker Lake Nunavut  X0C 0A0
Telephone: 867-793-3303
Toll-free: 1-866-223-8139
Fax: 867-793-3321

Ontario

Ministry of Consumer Services
Suite 1500, 5775 Yonge Street
Toronto Ontario  M7A 2E5
Telephone: 416-326-8611
Toll-free: 1-800-889-9768
TTY: 416-325-3408
Toll-free: 1-800-268-7095
Fax: 416-326-8665
Email: consumer@ontario.ca
Website: www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection

Prince Edward Island

Consumer Services
Office of the Attorney General
4^th Floor, Shaw Building
95 Rochford Street
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown Prince Edward Island  C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-368-4550
Toll-free: 1-800-658-1799
Fax: 902-368-5283
Website: www.gov.pe.ca/attorneygeneral/ index.php3?number=1002799&lang=E

Quebec

Office de la protection du consommateur
Suite 450, 400 Jean-Lesage Boulevard
Québec Quebec  G1K 8W4
Toll-free: 1-888-672-2556
Fax: 418-528-0976
Website: http://www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/

Saskatchewan

Consumer Protection Branch
Saskatchewan Department of Justice
Suite 500, 1919 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina Saskatchewan  S4P 4H2
Telephone: 306-787-5550
Toll-free: 1-888-374-4636
Fax: 306-787-9779
Email: consumerprotection@justice.gov.sk.ca
Website: www.justice.gov.sk.ca/cpb

Yukon

Consumer Services
Department of Community Services
Third Floor, Andrew Philipson Law Centre
2130 Second Avenue
PO  Box 2703
Whitehorse Yukon  Y1A 2C6
Telephone: 867-667-5111
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0408, local 5111
Fax: 867-667-3609
Email: consumer@gov.yk.ca
Website: www.community.gov.yk.ca/consumer/index.html