Ontario Government Introduces E-Consumer Protection Bill

On September 26, 2002, the Minister of Consumer and Business Services introduced Bill 180, to provide a more comprehensive legislative regime for consumer protection in Ontario. Bill 180 will consolidate and update six existing consumer protection laws to provide efficient consumer protection to meet the realities of the digital economy. The new legislation will set requirements for information that must be made available to consumers in online sales and update three statutes in the motor vehicle, home, and travel areas to regulate these professional sectors more effectively. In addition to increasing the amount of time the Ontario Consumer Ministry ("Ministry") has for investigating the complaints, Bill 180 also increases fines and broadens the Ministry's power to freeze assets and issue compliance orders. For a copy of Bill 180, visit: http://www.ontla.on.ca/documents/Bills/37_Parliament/Session3/b180_e.htm To view the Ministry's press releases, visit: http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/5ECLRP.htm http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/5ECQ4C.htm