Harmonization of consumer protection standards - Option consommateurs wants consumers to be better protected

MONTREAL, Sept. 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Improve the protection of consumers when they buy online from a merchant located in another province. Study the possibility of harmonizing gift card regulations while including the most protective practices. Prohibit mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer contracts in all the provinces. These are some of the recommendations that can be found in the report entitled "The views of Canadians on the harmonization of consumer protection standards" released today by Option consommateurs.

To achieve these recommendations, which apply in a context where the protection of consumers differ from one area to the next, in one province to the other, Option consommateurs performed a literature review and conducted 36 interviews. This allowed Option consommateurs to determine that consumers are particularly vulnerable in the following areas: E-commerce, consumer credit, legal warranties, class actions, gift cards and cell phone. Therefore, Option consommateurs studied in depth these six areas by analyzing the laws of all the provinces and territories.

The cornerstone of this report is a survey of 2000 Canadians conducted by the Bureau d'Interviewers Professionnels. "This survey demonstrated that in the areas studied, consumers do not have a good understanding of their rights", says Mtre Annik Bélanger-Krams, author of the report. "Notwithstanding this, few have stated having experienced a problem after making a purchase in another province. We also observed that as a general rule, consumers want the regulations to be uniform from coast to coast", adds Mtre Bélanger-Krams.

In a context where E-commerce is increasing, Option consommateurs' study, which was carried out in 2014-2015, was made possible through a financial contribution by the Office of Consumer Affairs of Industry Canada. The lawmakers, to whom these recommendations are addressed, should certainly take a keen interest in the study.

http://www.option-consommateurs.org/documents/principal/en/File/option_consommateurs_2014_2015_harmonisation_normes_protection_consommateurs_eng.pdf

SOURCE Option consommateurs

For information: Mtre Annik Bélanger-Krams, 514 777-6133