IMPORTANT BULLETIN ABOUT ONTARIO’S CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
EFFECTIVE JULY 30

Ontarioâs Consumer Protection Actwill come into force on July 30, 2005. The Ontario government held a webcast on April 14 to present the legislation and regulations to the business community. The webcast and a written transcript can be seen on the governmentâs Consumer and Business Services website, at www.cbs.gov.on.ca. Click on the link marked Webcast: Consumer Protection for the 21st Century. The regulations and legislation can also be seen on CAM’s website, www.mover.net in the Movers section. In addition, the headline article, “Consumer rights beefed up,” from The Toronto Star (July 21, 2005) is included on our website.

The regulations that relate directly to moving are covered in Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act 2002 in Consumer Rights and Warranties (Part II – especially Section 10 – Estimates), Unfair Practices (Part III), and Rights and Obligations Respecting Specific Consumer Rights (Part IV).

A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE LEGISLATION RELATES TO ESTIMATES:

Estimates
10. (1) If a consumer agreement includes an estimate, the supplier shall not charge the consumer an amount that exceeds the estimate by more than 10 per cent.
Performance of consumer agreement
(2) If a supplier charges an amount that exceeds the estimate by more than 10 per cent, the consumer may require that the supplier provide the goods or services at the estimated price.
Subsequent agreement
(3) Nothing in this section prevents a consumer and a supplier from agreeing to amend the estimate or price in a consumer agreement, if the consumer requires additional or different goods or services.

YOUR DIRECTORY LISTING IN CANADIAN MOVER

CAM will go to press with The Canadian Mover, its magazine and member directory, at the end of July.

The member listings in the magazine show your company’s contact information and the services you offer. We know this is your busy season, but PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND REVIEW YOUR LISTING IN OUR ONLINE DIRECTORY AND ENSURE IT SAYS EVERYTHING YOU WANT. The directory often is your portal to additional opportunities and, in CAM’s nationaloffice, we use your information when we make our referrals ot consumers.

CAM is now publisher of the magazine. There are still openings for advertising. The magazine will reach a broad cross-section of the Canadian moving industry, our suppliers and our customers. Contact the CAM office for details. Advertising rates are significantly reduced for members. The deadline for ads is July 14.

CAM’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND GOLF TOURNAMENT — SEPTEMBER 19 AND 20, 2005

Mark September 19 and 20, 2005 on your calendar. If you are coming to Toronto for other moving-industry events, extend your stay and attend ours also. The theme once again is profitability, with many useful presentations on those practices that will improve your bottom line. See the conference information for a preview of our exciting program and register online at www.mover.net.