Manitoba Consumer Rights
Consumer rights in Manitoba help protect individuals from unfair business practices, misleading advertising, defective products, and issues involving services or digital purchases. This page provides Manitoba-specific information, official resources, and guidance on understanding and enforcing your consumer rights.
At A Glance
Filing Methods
Online, Email, Mail
Deadlines
Varies by complaint type and agency
Official Consumer Complaints Office
Update Status
July 14, 2026
In This Guide
Below are official and trusted sources for consumer complaints, marketplace disputes, privacy concerns, digital services, and regulatory oversight in Manitoba.
These organizations can help with issues involving refunds, defective products, online purchases, subscription services, misleading advertising, privacy concerns, unfair business practices, and disputes with businesses operating in Manitoba.
Consumer Protection Office Manitoba
Primary consumer protection authority for Manitoba. Handles complaints involving consumer transactions, unfair business practices, direct sales, payday lending, and marketplace disputes.
Handles deceptive marketing practices, false advertising, anti-competitive conduct, price-fixing concerns, and marketplace issues affecting consumers across Canada.
Handles privacy, access to information, and administrative fairness complaints involving Manitoba public bodies and government services.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
Oversees privacy complaints involving federally regulated organizations and major digital platforms operating across Canada.
Manitoba Human Rights Commission
Handles discrimination complaints involving goods, services, accommodation, employment, and protected characteristics.
Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS)
Helps resolve complaints involving internet, wireless, television, and telephone service providers.
Not every consumer issue is handled by the same organization. The appropriate agency depends on the nature of your complaint. Use the guide below to help determine where to start.
Refunds, subscriptions, or business disputes
If a business refuses a refund, fails to honour a contract, or engages in unfair business practices, contact the Consumer Protection Office Manitoba.False advertising or deceptive business practices
If a company makes misleading claims, uses deceptive marketing, or engages in anti-competitive conduct, contact the Competition Bureau Canada.Privacy violations or misuse of personal information
If your personal information has been improperly collected, shared, retained, or used, contact the Manitoba Ombudsman or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC).Telecom, internet, or mobile service complaints
If your complaint involves internet service, mobile phones, billing disputes, or service interruptions, contact the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS).Discrimination involving goods or services
If you believe you were treated unfairly based on a protected characteristic while accessing a product or service, contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.Complaints involving provincial government services
If your complaint involves a provincial government department, agency, board, or public service, contact the Manitoba Ombudsman.
Before filing a consumer complaint in Manitoba, it is generally recommended that you first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the business or service provider. Many consumer disputes can be resolved through direct communication before a formal complaint becomes necessary.
Gather any documents that may support your complaint, including receipts, contracts, invoices, correspondence, screenshots, and transaction records. Reviewing applicable refund, cancellation, warranty, or service agreements may also help you better understand your rights and obligations.
Depending on the circumstances, your complaint may fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Protection Office Manitoba, the Manitoba Ombudsman, the Competition Bureau Canada, or another regulatory body.
Identifying the correct agency before filing can help ensure the matter is reviewed by the appropriate authority.
If the issue cannot be resolved directly, you may wish to seek assistance through the appropriate consumer protection, privacy, telecommunications, human rights, or oversight process.
If you are unable to resolve your issue directly with the business, you may wish to file a complaint with the appropriate agency. The organization responsible for reviewing your complaint will depend on the type of issue involved.
Before filing, gather any supporting documents, including receipts, invoices, contracts, correspondence, screenshots, and transaction records. Complete documentation can help the agency assess your complaint more efficiently.
Many complaints may be submitted online, while others may be accepted by email, mail, telephone, or official complaint forms. Depending on the issue, your complaint may be directed to the Consumer Protection Office Manitoba, the Manitoba Ombudsman, the Competition Bureau Canada, or another authority.
Once submitted, the agency may review your complaint, request additional information, or determine whether another organization is better suited to address the matter.
After your complaint is submitted, the appropriate agency will review the information provided and determine whether the matter falls within its jurisdiction. You may be contacted for additional information, supporting documents, or clarification before the complaint can proceed.
Some complaints may be addressed through education, negotiation, mediation, or voluntary compliance, while others may require a formal review or investigation. Agencies such as the Consumer Protection Office Manitoba, the Manitoba Ombudsman, or the Competition Bureau Canada may assess the complaint and determine what action is appropriate.
Not all complaints result in enforcement action. Depending on the circumstances, you may be referred to another organization or advised of alternative options for resolving the dispute.
Response times and outcomes vary depending on the complexity of the complaint and the agency responsible for reviewing it.
Not every consumer issue can be resolved through a regulator or government agency. Depending on the circumstances, additional assistance may be available through Manitoba's court system, legal services, dispute resolution programs, and community organizations.
Manitoba Small Claims Court may be an option if your dispute involves financial losses, contract disputes, defective products, or unpaid refunds.
Community Legal Education Association (CLEA) provides public legal education and resources to help individuals understand their rights and responsibilities.
Community Legal Clinics and Legal Aid Manitoba may provide information and support for eligible individuals.
Better Business Bureau Serving Manitoba and Northwest Ontario may assist with certain business complaints and dispute resolution efforts.
If a complaint process does not resolve the matter, additional options such as mediation, legal advice, or court proceedings may be available.