Skip to main content

Ontario Ban on Door-to-Door Sales in Effect as of March 1st



New Law will Protect Consumers at Home

February 23, 2018 10:00 A.M.

Starting March 1, 2018, Ontario will ban unsolicited, door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home. 
Businesses will only be able to enter into a contract in the consumer's home if the consumer has contacted the business ahead of time and invited them into their home for the purpose of entering into a contract. Contracts that are in violation of the new rules relating to door-to-door contract solicitation will be considered void, and consumers will be able to keep the goods and services with no obligations.
The new rules will apply to:
  • Air cleaners
  • Air conditioners
  • Air purifiers
  • Duct cleaning services
  • Furnaces
  • Water filters
  • Water heaters
  • Water purifiers
  • Water softeners
  • Water treatment devices
  • Bundles of these goods and services
In addition, businesses will be required to keep a record of how contact with the consumer entering the contract was made, and all contracts signed in the home for these goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period, allowing consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.
Protecting consumers is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

QUOTES

" These new laws will ensure that people aren’t being taken advantage of through unsolicited door-to-door contracting. We have heard from many consumers, ‎including many seniors, who are being taken advantage of at their doorsteps. Our government is taking steps to protect Ontario consumers and provide them with more protection against aggressive and misleading door-to-door contracting tactics so that they can enjoy peace of mind in their homes."
- Tracy MacCharles
Minister of Government and Consumer Services

QUICK FACTS

  • Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
  • Ontario is the second province in Canada to restrict door-to-door solicitation and contracts.
  • If a consumer calls for a repair, maintenance or any other reason, businesses will only be allowed to leave information about the products and services they offer, unless the business has a written contract in place with the consumer and secures the consumer’s approval in advance of the visit to solicit a contract for the restricted goods or services.
  • Businesses will need to keep a record of how contact with the consumer was made and provide consumers with clear information about their rights.

LEARN MORE


Mahreen Dasoo Minister’s Office
416-326-1939
Sue Carroll Communications Branch
416-326-7408

Available Online
Disponible en Français

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7 Ways to Make Your Home Cozier This Winter Without Spending

As the temperatures continue to drop, we'll all be spending more time indoors. There are countless ways to make your home feel cozier for the winter if you have extra money to spend, but if you're being mindful of your finances after the holidays, here are some ideas to help you do it without spending. Bring Out the Blankets As the temperatures drop, it’s time to bring out all of those extra throw blankets and quilts you have lying around in storage. Drape blankets over your couches, chairs, beds, and ottomans; fill a blanket ladder and display it in the corner of a room; or fold extra blankets and place them in the corner. Sticking to warm textures such as wool where possible will help to make the space feel cozy. Light Candles Lighting some candles around your home is one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cozy, and who doesn’t have a stash of candles sitting around somewhere in their home? Not only will the flickering light add a sense of warmth and charm, but your ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bathroom Upgrade Options

Whether you're looking for easy, affordable changes or a major renovation, there are many ways to enhance a bathroom environment. Beyond the basics like decorative colour-coordinated accessories to match curtains, mats and towels, enhanced upgrades like a spa-inspired showerhead and a touchless faucet will add personal comfort and convenience. Depending on your budget, a total makeover might include new tiling. If so, consider a few hand-painted accent tiles to make your bathroom truly unique. More spacious projects might include the addition of a two-sink vanity or a soaker tub.  Bidets are also becoming more popular as they become more affordable. If you don't have the room to add a luxurious stand-alone bidet, some newer toiles are dual purposed, while others can be accessorized with an add-on set attachment for a comparable hygienic experience. No matter what your bathroom makeover budget may be, you can achieve a fresh transformation simply by making a creative paint selec...
Post a Comment
Read more

3 Reasons To Invest In Smart Technology

AI is becoming more and more a part of modern life. Whether you are for it, against it, or somewhere in between, embracing AI at home can have considerable benefits. Save $$$ - With smart technology, you can set usage modes based on time of day or set vacation mode with your thermostat, lights, and refrigerator. If you forget to turn down the heat before you leave, you can remotely control it with your phone from anywhere. Time  - saving alerts and reminders – Have you ever put a load of laundry in the washer only to forget about it until the next day? With smart technology, you can receive alerts when your laundry is complete. For the kitchen you can now buy smart fridges that track food inventory and expiration dates and notify you when items are running low. Security – Wouldn’t it give you peace of mind if you got a notification when the oven was left on or the front door was unlocked? Smart technology can do just that and rectify the situation – remotely. There are now also sm...
Post a Comment
Read more