Ontario · Consumer protection · Crew briefing

New Consumer Protection Act, 2023 (not yet proclaimed)

Announced · date not set

What changes

This replaces the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 with broader unfair-practice rules, including unconscionable terms that are excessively one-sided. Prohibited terms are void, consumers have a 10-day cooling-off right for direct agreements and can cancel within one year for non-compliant contracts. It comes into force on proclamation once regulations are finalized, and no in-force date has been confirmed.

What to do: contractors

Renovation contract templates will need review for prohibited terms and disclosure before proclamation.

1. Review your renovation contract templates for one-sided or unfair terms.Why: The new Act will void prohibited terms once proclaimed.
2. Plan how you will handle a 10-day cooling-off period for direct agreements.Why: The Act gives consumers this right once it comes into force.
3. Watch Ontario e-Laws for the in-force date.Why: The Act starts on proclamation after regulations are finalized.

Law: Better for Consumers, Better for Businesses Act, 2023 (Bill 142, S.O. 2023, c. 23), Schedule 1: Consumer Protection Act, 2023
Official source: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-142
From ArtBuild Law Updates, https://artbuildcorporation.com/law-updates/view?slug=new-consumer-protection-act-2023-not-yet-proclaimed-ontario. Plain-language summary, not legal advice. The official text governs.