Ontario Consumer Rights
Consumer rights in Ontario help protect individuals from unfair business practices, misleading advertising, defective products, and issues involving services or digital purchases. This page provides Ontario-specific information, official resources, and guidance on understanding and enforcing your consumer rights.
At A Glance
Filing Methods
Online, Email, Mail
Deadlines
Complaint-specific deadlines may apply
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 Ontario.
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 Ontario.
Primary consumer protection authority for Ontario. Handles complaints involving consumer transactions, unfair business practices, contracts, warranties, and marketplace disputes.
Handles deceptive marketing practices, false advertising, anti-competitive conduct, price-fixing concerns, and marketplace issues affecting consumers across Canada.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC Ontario)
Handles privacy complaints involving provincial public bodies, health information, and access to information matters.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
Oversees privacy complaints involving federally regulated organizations and major digital platforms operating across Canada.
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.
Handles complaints involving provincial government organizations, municipalities, universities, school boards, and other public sector bodies.
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 Consumer Protection Ontario.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 Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC Ontario) 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 Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.Complaints involving provincial government services
If your complaint involves a provincial government department, agency, municipality, school board, university, or public service, contact the Ontario Ombudsman.
Before filing a consumer complaint in Ontario, 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 Consumer Protection Ontario, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC Ontario), the Competition Bureau Canada, 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 reviewing your complaint will depend on the nature of the issue involved.
Before filing, gather any supporting documents, including receipts, invoices, contracts, emails, screenshots, and records of communication. 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 Consumer Protection Ontario, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC Ontario), 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. 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 Consumer Protection Ontario, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC Ontario), the Ontario Ombudsman, 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 Ontario's court system, legal services, dispute resolution programs, and consumer advocacy organizations.
Ontario Small Claims Court may be an option for disputes involving financial losses, unpaid refunds, defective products, or consumer contracts.
Community Legal Clinics and Legal Aid Ontario may provide legal information, referrals, or assistance for eligible individuals.
Pro Bono Ontario may offer legal guidance and assistance for certain civil matters.
Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ontario and other Ontario regions may assist with certain business complaints and voluntary dispute resolution efforts.
If a complaint process does not resolve the matter, you may wish to pursue mediation, legal advice, or available court remedies.