We handle a broad range of disputes, including but not limited to:

• Deceptive or Misleading Advertising (e.g., hidden charges, false “0% financing,” or inflated “mandatory” fees).

• Unfair Contract Terms (e.g., contracts without proper disclosure, void terms, or improper renewal/extension clauses).

• Door-to-Door and High-Pressure Sales (including water heaters, HVAC rentals, or home services where contracts may be void or unenforceable).

• Online Commerce and Subscription Traps (e.g., “drip pricing,” unclear auto-renewals, or failure to disclose material terms in e-commerce).

• Unauthorized Charges and Premium Services

• Unconscionable Transactions and Unfair Practices (false representations, exploitation, or abusive lending practices).

• Warranty and Quality Claims (goods or services failing to meet the CPA’s “reasonably acceptable quality” standard or implied warranties under the Sale of Goods Act).

Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (CPA) is the cornerstone of consumer rights in the province. It applies to most transactions where an individual, acting for personal, family, or household purposes, purchases goods or services from a supplier—even if the supplier is outside Ontario.

Key features include:

• Unfair Practices (Part III, CPA) – Prohibits false, misleading, or unconscionable representations. Consumers can rescind contracts within one year and sue for damages.

• Implied Warranties (Section 9, CPA) – Goods must meet the Sale of Goods Act standards for fitness and merchantability, and services must be of “reasonably acceptable quality.” These protections cannot be waived.

• Estimates and Overcharging (Section 10, CPA) – Suppliers cannot exceed written estimates by more than 10% unless the consumer consents to changes.

• Unsolicited Goods and Material Changes (Section 13, CPA) – Consumers are not obligated to pay for unsolicited goods or services and can demand refunds within a year for unapproved “material changes” to ongoing services.

• Specific Consumer Agreements (Part IV, CPA) – Strict rules for internet, remote, direct (door-to-door), and future performance contracts, including mandatory disclosures, cooling-off periods (10 days or longer), and cancellation rights.

• Credit and Leasing Agreements (Parts VII–VIII) – Mandated disclosures, standardized calculations of APR (including “cash price” differentials), and a consumer’s right to prepay without penalty.

• Private Remedies (Part IX, CPA) – Consumers may cancel contracts, demand credit card chargebacks, or sue for refunds, damages, or enforcement in the Superior Court of Justice.

In addition to the CPA, the Competition Act prohibits deceptive marketing practices federally, and regulators like the Competition Bureau and Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) actively investigate industries where pricing or disclosure abuses occur (e.g., telecommunications, vehicle rentals, water heater rentals).