Reference Guide
Province-by-Province Guide to Filing Consumer Complaints in Canada
Published September 15, 2025 · CCB Research Division
Consumer protection in Canada is primarily a provincial responsibility. Each province and territory operates its own consumer protection office with the authority to investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and take enforcement action against businesses that violate consumer protection law. This guide provides a complete directory of where and how to file complaints across every jurisdiction in Canada.
Why Filing a Provincial Complaint Matters
Provincial consumer protection offices have enforcement powers that individual consumers do not. They can issue compliance orders, impose administrative penalties, revoke business licences, and refer matters for prosecution. Even if your individual complaint does not lead to immediate action, it contributes to the evidence base that triggers investigations when a pattern of misconduct emerges.
Before filing a provincial complaint, we recommend documenting your evidence thoroughly and following our step-by-step reporting guide.
Federal Complaints: The Competition Bureau of Canada
For conduct that crosses provincial boundaries or involves violations of the Competition Act (such as bid rigging, deceptive marketing, or price fixing), the Competition Bureau of Canada is the appropriate federal agency.
- What they investigate: Bid rigging (Section 47), deceptive marketing practices (Sections 52, 74.01), price maintenance, and abuse of dominant position
- How to file: Online complaint form at the Competition Bureau website, or by telephone at 1-800-348-5358
- Penalties: Criminal prosecution (up to 14 years imprisonment for bid rigging), administrative monetary penalties up to $10 million for a first offence
Ontario
Agency: Consumer Protection Ontario (Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery)
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act, 2002
Phone: 1-800-889-9768
How to file: Online complaint form at Ontario.ca or by telephone. You can also visit a ServiceOntario centre in person.
What they cover: Unfair business practices, false or misleading representations, internet agreements, door-to-door sales, motor vehicle repairs, and more. For a detailed guide to how the CPA applies to online auctions, see our Ontario CPA and online auctions guide.
Typical timeline: 14-30 days for initial assessment. Complex investigations may take several months.
British Columbia
Agency: Consumer Protection BC
Legislation: Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA)
Phone: 1-888-564-9963
How to file: Online complaint form at consumerprotectionbc.ca or by telephone.
What they cover: Deceptive or unconscionable acts and practices, debt collection, funeral services, travel agents, and telecommunications contracts. The BPCPA prohibits a broad range of deceptive conduct including misrepresentation of goods and services.
Note: BC also has the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) for disputes up to $5,000, which handles consumer complaints through an online process.
Alberta
Agency: Service Alberta — Consumer Investigations Unit
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act, Fair Trading Act
Phone: 1-877-427-4088
How to file: Online complaint form at alberta.ca or by telephone. Written complaints can be mailed to the Consumer Investigations Unit.
What they cover: Unfair trading practices, internet sales, direct sales, credit reporting, and cost of credit disclosure. The Fair Trading Act prohibits deceptive and unconscionable practices in consumer transactions.
Quebec
Agency: Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC)
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act (Loi sur la protection du consommateur)
Phone: 1-888-672-2556
How to file: Online complaint form at opc.gouv.qc.ca or by telephone. The OPC offers mediation services for consumer disputes.
What they cover: Quebec's Consumer Protection Act provides some of the strongest consumer protections in Canada. It includes strict liability provisions, broad definitions of prohibited practices, and robust enforcement mechanisms. The Act covers advertising, warranties, distance contracts, and credit.
Note: Quebec is a civil law jurisdiction. Consumer protection remedies in Quebec may differ from those in common law provinces.
Manitoba
Agency: Consumer Protection Office (Manitoba)
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act
Phone: 1-800-782-0067
How to file: Online complaint form at manitoba.ca or by telephone.
What they cover: Unfair business practices, internet agreements, direct sales, credit reporting, and payday loans. The office can investigate complaints and take enforcement action.
Saskatchewan
Agency: Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA)
Legislation: Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act
Phone: 1-877-880-5550
How to file: Online complaint form at fcaa.gov.sk.ca or by telephone.
What they cover: Unfair practices, consumer agreements, internet sales, credit reporting, and collection practices.
Nova Scotia
Agency: Service Nova Scotia — Consumer Protection Division
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act
Phone: 1-800-670-4357
How to file: Online complaint form at novascotia.ca or by telephone.
What they cover: Consumer transactions, unfair trade practices, direct sellers, internet sales, and collection agencies.
New Brunswick
Agency: Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB)
Legislation: Consumer Product Warranty and Liability Act, Cost of Credit Disclosure and Payday Loans Act
Phone: 1-866-933-2222
How to file: Online complaint form at fcnb.ca or by telephone.
What they cover: Consumer protection, securities, insurance, pensions, credit unions, and cooperative associations. FCNB also provides educational resources for consumers.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Agency: Digital Government and Service NL — Consumer Affairs Division
Legislation: Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act
Phone: 1-877-968-2600
How to file: By telephone or written complaint to the Consumer Affairs Division.
What they cover: Unfair business practices, consumer agreements, warranties, and trade practices.
Prince Edward Island
Agency: Consumer, Corporate and Insurance Division (Department of Justice and Public Safety)
Legislation: Consumer Protection Act
Phone: (902) 368-4580
How to file: By telephone or written complaint.
What they cover: Consumer transactions, unfair practices, direct sellers, and business licensing.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon
The three territories have smaller consumer protection operations, often housed within broader government services departments:
- Northwest Territories: Municipal and Community Affairs — Consumer Affairs. Phone: (867) 767-9160 ext. 21045.
- Nunavut: Department of Community and Government Services — Consumer Affairs. Phone: (867) 975-6000.
- Yukon: Department of Community Services — Consumer Services. Phone: (867) 667-5111. Yukon also has a Consumer Protection Act.
For territorial residents dealing with out-of-territory online auction houses, filing with the Competition Bureau (federal) and the CCB may be more effective than territorial consumer affairs offices, which have limited resources for cross-jurisdictional matters.
Tips for Filing an Effective Complaint
- Be specific: Include dates, amounts, names, and transaction reference numbers. Vague complaints are harder to investigate.
- Attach evidence: Include screenshots, receipts, communications, and any other documentation. See our evidence documentation guide.
- State the law: If you can identify the specific provision of consumer protection law that was violated, include it. This helps investigators prioritize your complaint.
- Be clear about your desired outcome: State whether you are seeking a refund, replacement, or other resolution.
- Follow up: If you have not received a response within 30 days, follow up by telephone.
- File with multiple agencies: You can and should file with more than one agency. Provincial complaints, federal complaints, and CCB complaints serve different purposes and are not mutually exclusive.
When Provincial Complaints Aren't Enough
Provincial consumer protection offices are effective for businesses operating within their jurisdiction, but they have limitations:
- Cross-provincial businesses: If the auction house operates from a different province, your local office may have limited jurisdiction. File with both your province and the business's home province.
- International platforms: For auction platforms based outside Canada, provincial enforcement is difficult. The Competition Bureau and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre may be more effective.
- Criminal conduct: If you suspect criminal fraud (theft, identity fraud, organized schemes), report to police in addition to consumer protection authorities.
- Significant financial losses: For larger claims, consider consulting a consumer protection lawyer about civil litigation or small claims court.