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Consumer protection

What went wrong with your purchase? Start here.

Pick what happened and see the deadline that matters, what to do first, and the law that protects you.

✓ Federal & provincial law✓ 100% free✓ No account✓ Legal information, not advice

Refund refused

Provincial Consumer Protection Act (e.g. ON CPA 2002)

Some contracts carry a cancellation right regardless of store policy

The deadline that matters

10
day cooling-off (varies)
Store "no refund" signs do not override the law. Many provinces give a cooling-off period for certain contracts (often around 10 days for door-to-door, time-share, or specific sales), and goods that do not match their description may be returnable. The exact right depends on the type of purchase and your province.

Do this first

  1. 1
    Identify the contract type
    Door-to-door, online, in-store, or a service agreement — each has different cancellation rules.
  2. 2
    Send a written cancellation
    If a cooling-off right applies, written notice within the window is usually what triggers it.
  3. 3
    Keep proof of everything
    Receipts, the ad, and your cancellation notice are what a regulator or court will look at.

The law that protects you

Provincial Consumer Protection Act (e.g. ON CPA 2002)

"A consumer may cancel a [specified] agreement at any time… by giving notice of cancellation to the supplier… within the applicable cooling-off period."

CPA s.43s.92
Read the full guide →

Legal information, not legal advice. Cooling-off periods and chargeback windows vary by province and card network; confirm against the current statute or a licensed professional.

🛡️ You have consumer rights

Protections that apply when you buy

On many purchases
A cooling-off right may apply
Provincial CPA

Certain agreements can be cancelled within a set window regardless of a store's "no refund" policy.

On goods you buy
Implied warranties apply
Sale of Goods Act

Goods must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose — protections a store policy cannot waive.

In advertising
Deception is prohibited
Competition Act

False or misleading claims, fake sale prices, and bait-and-switch are banned and reportable.

From collectors
Harassment is restricted
Provincial reg.

Collectors must follow rules on notice, calling hours, and conduct — and cannot threaten or harass you.

Browse by topic

Refunds & cancellationsWarrantiesProduct safety & recallsMisleading advertisingSubscriptions & billingDebt collectorsScams & fraudNon-delivery

Tools

Chargeback window checker

See if your payment dispute is still in time

Cooling-off finder

Check if your contract can be cancelled

Complaint builder

Draft a documented complaint record

Which law applies?

Provincial vs federal in plain steps

Not sure which law applies?
Ask about your situation and get an answer grounded in Canadian consumer law, with its sources shown.
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