In Ontario, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 is the main piece of legislation that sets out the rights of consumers. Read the legislation. For its regulations, you can select the “Regulations Under this Act” tab at the same link. It governs the most common forms of personal and household transactions between consumers and businesses in the province, including: buying furniture in a store; shopping for goods online; buying goods sold door-to-door; and home renovations.

Definitions found in the CPA:

Supplier: A person who is in the business of selling, leasing or trading in goods or services, reward cards or their agents. A supplier is called a “business” in this guide.

Consumer: An individual acting for personal, family or household purposes. This term does not include a person who is acting for business purposes.

Consumer agreement: An agreement between a supplier (referred to as a “business” in the guide) and a consumer in which the supplier agrees to supply goods or services, or gives reward cards for payment.

Consumer transaction: An act or instance of conducting business or other dealings with a consumer, including a consumer agreement.

Goods: Any type of personal property, except real estate.

Services: Anything other than goods, including services, rights, entitlements or benefit.