Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates Canada’s telecommunications and broadcasting systems. Its mandate is to ensure that both the telecommunications and broadcasting systems serve the interests of Canadians.

The CRTC can accept some TV and telecom complaints that fall outside of our mandate, such as complaints about:

• Phone service in regulated exchanges
• Emergency services, payphones, and 900 and 976 services
• Services provided by companies that do not participate in the CCTS
• TV service accessibility, excessively loud commercials, signal substitution, and Canadian TV content

File a complaint with the CRTC

 

Ad Standards

Ad Standards administers the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. This code sets the criteria for acceptable advertising and forms the basis for the review and adjudication of consumer and advertising disputes. It also helps to ensure the integrity and viability of advertising through industry self-regulation.

File a complaint with Ad Standards

 

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is Canada’s central repository for data, intelligence and resource material about fraud. The CAFC provides information to assist citizens, businesses, law enforcement and governments in Canada and around the world.

The CAFC’s primary goals are prevention through education and awareness, disruption of criminal activities, dissemination of intelligence, support to law enforcement, and strengthening partnerships between the private and public sectors with the aim of maintaining Canada’s strong economic integrity.

Report an incident to the CAFC

 

Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC)

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) provides recourse for members of the public who have a complaint about the application of the industry’s Codes and standards. It is an independent, non-governmental organization created by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) to administer standards established by its members, Canada’s private broadcasters.

The CBSC administers seven industry codes covering various issues relating to ethics, violence on television, equitable portrayal, journalistic ethics, cross-media ownership, and pay television. These codes set the guidelines for television and radio programming. The CBSC’s role is to promote self-regulation in programming matters by Canada’s private-sector broadcasters.

Make a complaint with CBSC

 

Competition Bureau Canada

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice. Headed by the Commissioner of Competition, the Bureau is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act. The Bureau accepts consumer complaints that fall within the scope of this legislation.

Submit a question or complaint with the Competition Bureau

 

National Do Not Call List

The National Do Not Call List (DNCL) gives consumers a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls and allows consumers to file complaints regarding unwanted telemarketing calls they have received.

You can choose to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by registering your phone number on the National DNCL. You can also check your registration, find out how to remove your number from the National DNCL, and file a complaint about telemarketing calls.

Register your number with the DNCL

Submit a complaint through the DNCL

 

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

The role of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is to promote privacy rights. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) oversees compliance with the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law.

The Commissioner is an advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians and has powers that include:

• investigating complaints, conducting audits and pursuing court action under two federal laws
• publicly reporting on the personal information-handling practices of public and private-sector organizations
• supporting, undertaking and publishing research into privacy issues
• promoting public awareness and understanding of privacy issues

Report a concern with the OPC