Being an Informed Consumer
in Québec IMMIGRATION AND CONSUMER ISSUES

In Québec, the Consumer Protection Act governs transactions carried out between consumers and merchants, among other things. For example, car dealerships, furniture stores, financial institutions and telephone service providers have different obligations toward consumers.

The Office de la protection du consommateur is a Québec government body. It ensures that merchants comply with this law. The Office helps consumers make informed choices to avoid any problems, and informs them of their rights and recourse options when the need arises.

Start by getting all the information

When you do business with a merchant, various problems can occur: an item is defective, a delivery is delayed, unforeseen costs pop up, a merchant fails to abide by a contract, etc.

How can these problems be avoided? How can they be resolved when they occur? By getting all the information concerning your rights before making a purchase, accepting an offer or signing a contract.

You will find many tips covering a variety of topics below.

Assessing your needs

Credit cards

Cellular phone services

Used cars

Registering for a course

Furniture and appliances

Warranties

Daycare centres

Offers to go into business

Offers to work from home

Price accuracy

Debts and collections

Purchasing from an itinerant merchant

Online purchases

Other Topics

Getting information about a merchant

The Get information about a merchant tool provides you with the following information:

  • the Office’s monitoring actions with regard to a merchant (notice of non-compliance, criminal prosecutions or voluntary commitments) and the results of these interventions;
  • the number of formal notices a merchant has received from consumers and of which the Office has received a copy.

How to resolve a problem with a merchant

Are you having a problem with a merchant? Contact the Office to file a complaint. We will inform you of your rights and recourse options. We will also provide you with tools to assist you.

You will probably be asked to try to negotiate with the merchant. If the negotiation fails, you can send the merchant a formal notice. In certain cases, you may be able to use Parle consommation. This is a quick and free service offered entirely online that could help you settle your litigation with the merchant.

To find out more, refer to the section titled Resolve a Problem with a Merchant.

Quiz: True or False?

1.
Un contrat de téléphonie cellulaire peut être annulé à n’importe quel moment et sans frais.

  1. Vrai
  2. Faux

Webinar for consumers

Would you like to find out more? Watch this webinar in which experts from the Office provide information on various consumer topics: warranties on goods, new and used cars, telecommunications, online purchases, credit, etc. Tools to get the information you need before making a commitment and to help you assert your rights are also presented. The video is available in French only.

Do you work with immigrant clienteles? Watch this webinar intended specifically for you Cet hyperlien s’ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre (in French only).

To contact the Office

The Office can provide you with information and assistance on many other consumer topics, such as trips or gift cards.

If you experience a problem, you can also contact us. An agent can guide you through the steps you can take to resolve the problem.

You can write to us, call us or even come in person to one of our offices.

You will find our contact information in the section titled Contact Us.