How do I complain to the Ontario consumer protection office?

If you're having issues with a contractor in Ottawa, you can file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario through their online portal at ontario.ca/consumers or by calling 1-800-889-9768.

Consumer Protection Ontario handles complaints about home improvement contractors, including issues with contracts, deposits, workmanship disputes, and potential scams. Here's exactly how to file your complaint:

Online Complaint Process
Visit ontario.ca/page/filing-consumer-complaint and click "File a complaint online." You'll need to provide details about the contractor (business name, address, contact info), describe what happened, and upload any supporting documents like contracts, receipts, photos, or correspondence. The online system is available 24/7 and you'll get a reference number to track your complaint.

Phone Complaints
Call 1-800-889-9768 Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Have all your documentation ready including contracts, invoices, and any written communications with the contractor. The representative will walk you through the complaint process and explain what Consumer Protection Ontario can do to help.

What Information to Include
Document everything: the contractor's full business name and address, dates of work or contact, amount of money involved, specific problems you're experiencing, and what resolution you're seeking. Include copies of contracts, change orders, receipts, photos of poor workmanship, and any written communications.

What Consumer Protection Ontario Can Do
They can investigate businesses that may be violating consumer protection laws, mediate disputes between you and the contractor, and take enforcement action against businesses breaking the rules. However, they cannot force refunds or guarantee specific outcomes - their role is investigation and enforcement of consumer protection laws.

Additional Ottawa Resources
For construction-specific disputes, also contact the City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 if the work doesn't meet building code requirements. If your contractor isn't properly licensed with ESA (electrical work) or TSSA (gas work), report this to those authorities as well.

Before Filing Your Complaint
Try to resolve the issue directly with the contractor first - Consumer Protection Ontario will ask what steps you've taken. Keep detailed records of all communications and give the contractor a reasonable opportunity to address legitimate concerns.

The key is documenting everything thoroughly and understanding that Consumer Protection Ontario's role is regulatory enforcement, not dispute resolution like a court would provide.