New Brunswick Consumer Rights
Consumer rights in New Brunswick help protect individuals from unfair business practices, misleading advertising, defective products, and issues involving services or digital purchases. This page provides New Brunswick-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 New Brunswick.
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 New Brunswick.
Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB)
Primary consumer protection authority for New Brunswick. Handles complaints involving consumer transactions, debt collection, payday lending, and marketplace concerns.
Handles deceptive marketing practices, false advertising, anti-competitive conduct, price-fixing concerns, and marketplace issues affecting consumers across Canada.
Handles complaints involving provincial government departments, agencies, and public services.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
Oversees privacy complaints involving federally regulated organizations and major digital platforms operating across Canada.
New Brunswick 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 Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB).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 appropriate provincial privacy authority 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 New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.Complaints involving provincial government services
If your complaint involves a provincial government department, agency, or public service, contact Ombud New Brunswick.
Before filing a consumer complaint in New Brunswick, it is generally recommended that you first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the business. Many disputes involving products, services, subscriptions, and online purchases can be resolved without formal intervention.
Gather any documents that may support your complaint, including receipts, invoices, contracts, emails, screenshots, and records of communication. It is also helpful to review any refund, cancellation, warranty, or service policies that apply to your situation.
Depending on the nature of your concern, your complaint may fall under the jurisdiction of the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB), the Competition Bureau Canada, Ombud New Brunswick, or another regulatory body.
Identifying the appropriate organization before filing can help avoid delays and ensure your complaint is directed to the correct agency.
If the issue cannot be resolved directly with the business, you may wish to pursue a complaint through the appropriate consumer protection, privacy, telecommunications, human rights, or government 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 handling your complaint will depend on the nature of the dispute.
Before filing, gather any supporting documents, including receipts, invoices, contracts, emails, screenshots, and records of communication. Providing detailed information may help the agency review your complaint more effectively.
Most complaints can be submitted online, although some organizations may also accept complaints by email, mail, telephone, or official complaint forms. Depending on the issue, your complaint may be directed to the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB), Ombud New Brunswick, the Competition Bureau Canada, or another regulatory body.
After your complaint is submitted, the agency may review the information, request additional documentation, or determine whether the matter falls within its jurisdiction.
After your complaint is submitted, the appropriate agency will review the information provided and determine whether the matter falls within its jurisdiction. Depending on the nature of the complaint, you may be contacted for additional information, supporting documents, or clarification regarding the issues raised.
Some complaints may be resolved through education, negotiation, mediation, or voluntary compliance, while others may require a more formal review or investigation. Agencies such as the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB), Ombud New Brunswick, or the Competition Bureau Canada may assess the circumstances and determine what action, if any, is available.
Not all complaints result in enforcement action. In some cases, you may be referred to another organization, advised of alternative dispute resolution options, or informed that the matter may need to be pursued through another legal or administrative process.
Response times and outcomes vary depending on the complexity of the complaint, the agency involved, and the information available.
Not every consumer issue can be resolved through a regulator or government agency. Depending on the circumstances, additional assistance may be available through New Brunswick's court system, legal services, and dispute resolution programs.
New Brunswick Small Claims Court may be an option for disputes involving financial losses, unpaid refunds, defective products, or consumer contracts.
Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) provides educational resources to help consumers understand their rights and available remedies.
Legal Aid New Brunswick may provide assistance for eligible individuals, depending on the nature of the issue.
Better Business Bureau Atlantic may assist with certain business complaints and voluntary dispute resolution programs.
If a complaint cannot be resolved through a regulator, you may wish to explore mediation, legal advice, or court-based remedies.