Helping Newcomers Become Smart Consumers

 
 

November 20, 2008 10:59 AM

Mcguinty Government Helps More Ontarians Shop Smarter

Ontario is helping newcomers to the province become smart consumers with the release of the 2009 Smart Consumer Calendar.

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The calendar provides a wealth of tips on home repairs and renovations, telemarketing and debit card fraud, choosing an electricity or natural gas supplier, auto insurance scams - and more.  

For the first time , the popular and informative calendar is available in Spanish, Punjabi, Portuguese, and Chinese (simplified and traditional) - in addition to English and French.

The calendar is produced by Ontario's Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services and is available free of charge.   To order a copy, call (416) 326-5300 in the Greater Toronto Area or toll-free at 1-800-668-9938 (TTY toll free at 1-800-268-7095) or go to http://www.publications.serviceontario.ca/ecom/

QUICK FACTS

 
  • In 2007, the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services' Consumer Protection Branch handled over 55,000 complaints and inquiries.
  • Between September 2007 and September 2008, the Consumer Protection Branch received over $323,000 in mediated refunds, $200,000 in cancelled/rescinded contracts, $370,000 in restitution and recovered more than $423,000 thousand through investigations and prosecutions.



Ministry of Consumer Services
ontario.ca/consumerservices


 

"Newcomers to Ontario are often vulnerable to scam artists and fraudsters. Our calendar makes smart shopping easier - and helps all Ontarians be savvier consumers."

 – Harinder Takhar
Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services

 
 
 
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