Ontario plans independent consumer watchdog

Summary#

• Bill 92 would require the government to create and carry out a plan to set up an independent consumer watchdog for Ontario.

• The watchdog would oversee consumer protection, investigate bad practices, handle complaints, issue penalties or remedies, and publish reports and data.

• The Minister must consult the public and stakeholders, post the plan online, and table a progress report in the Legislature.

• Key changes:

  • Creates a government plan to establish a watchdog that is independent of government and focused on consumer issues.
  • Lays out expected powers: investigations of businesses and sectors, complaint handling, penalties and remedies, and public reporting.
  • Calls for education and research “centres of excellence” to teach consumers and inform policy.
  • Requires a plan for how the watchdog will work with other regulators, including when its decisions would overrule theirs in certain areas.
  • Orders the Minister to publish the plan and report progress within six months after the plan is developed.

What it means for you#

• General consumers

  • In the short term, expect a public plan and a progress report explaining how and when a new watchdog could be set up.
  • If created, the watchdog could become a single place to file complaints about unfair business practices.
  • You may see more public information on complaint numbers, investigation results, and consumer warnings.
  • Consumer education may expand, including resources to help you understand your rights and spot scams or unfair tactics.

• Businesses and other organizations

  • You could face investigations into compliance with consumer protection rules and sector-wide reviews of practices.
  • The watchdog could issue penalties or order remedies when rules are broken, and could publish complaint and investigation results.
  • You may need to adjust contracts, sales practices, pricing, and online interfaces to meet clearer standards.
  • There may be new expectations to cooperate with a central complaints process and respond to consumer issues faster.

• Students, educators, and the public sector

  • New education programs could aim to build consumer skills and awareness in schools and for the public.
  • A policy research center could produce analysis for lawmakers on how proposed rules affect consumers.

• Other regulators and oversight bodies

  • The plan must explain how the new watchdog will coordinate with existing bodies.
  • In some specified sectors, the watchdog’s decisions could overrule those of other regulators, changing who has the final say.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• A single, independent watchdog would make it easier for people to get help and hold bad actors accountable.
• Stronger investigations, real penalties, and public reporting would deter unfair or deceptive practices.
• Publishing complaint data and investigation outcomes would increase transparency and trust in the marketplace.
• Education and research centers would help consumers make informed choices and help policymakers keep laws up to date.
• A modern watchdog is needed to address digital and data-driven tactics that current rules do not fully cover.

Opponents' View#

• Ontario already has consumer protection bodies; a new watchdog could duplicate work and create confusion.
• Allowing the watchdog’s decisions to overrule other regulators may create conflicts and legal uncertainty.
• Setting up and running a new organization could be costly and add bureaucracy without clear benefits.
• Broad powers to investigate and penalize could burden businesses, especially small firms, and slow innovation.
• The bill leaves many details to a future plan, so scope, timelines, and impacts are unclear.