Ontario Government Introduces New Consumer Protection Act

On October 23, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 142, the Better for Consumers, Better for Businesses Act, 2023 that will repeal the existing Consumer Protection Act, 2002(CPA) and enact the Consumer Protection Act, 2023 (New CPA) in its place. The New CPA will retain some aspects of the CPA and will make many other changes and additions to the existing legislation. Among the key changes are the introduction of new rules for many consumer leases (referred to as purchase cost-plus leases), expanded rules around amendment and renewal of consumer contracts, additional consumer rights in relation to remedies and compensation, and expanded compliance and enforcement provisions. The timing for the coming in force of the New CPA is not yet known.