Grants and Contributions

Consumer attitudes and their role in reducing the impact of counterfeit and pirated goods and services - The Consumers Council of Canada will research how consumers perceive their role and the role of businesses and governments in curbing counterfeit and pirated goods. They will also explore consumer attitudes, experiences and understanding of the negative impacts of counterfeiting.

Communications services: Are the recourses before disconnection? - Union des consommateurs will explore what options could be made available to consumers experiencing difficulty in paying their telecom-related bills (internet/cell phones), and provide recommendations on what measures may be implemented to help consumers settle these debts before suffering any unfortunate consequences or penalties.

Imposing surcharges based on payment methods: Canada's current situation and a comparative analysis abroad - Union des consommateurs will analyze the experience of imposed credit card surcharging in similar economies to better understand the benefits and risks to consumers in the context of the potential introduction of surcharging fees in Canada and how surcharges affect consumer purchasing decisions.

Dispute settlement mechanisms of sharing economy platforms: effective tools for access to justice? - Option consommateurs will provide an overall picture of the dispute resolution mechanisms offered by digital sharing economy platforms (DSEPs), the federal and provincial judicial context for dispute resolution, the best practices by DSEPs, including internationally, as well as the views and perceptions of consumers.

Super complainers: Greater public inclusiveness in government consumer complaint handling - The Consumers Council of Canada will study current government complaint handling systems, gauge receptivity to alternative international systems where consumer awareness and participation is encouraged, and discuss the challenges and barriers to adopting one of these systems in Canada.

Development project funded to strengthen the organization's capacity to diversify revenue sources and increase its level of self-sufficiency.

Sustainable Consumption for all: Improving the accessibility of sustainably-produced foods in Canada - Food Secure Canada's research will explore how, and to what degree, low-income consumers are able to access sustainably produced foods, what barriers they face in accessing sustainable foods in Canada, and other factors such as affordability and convenience, for buying sustainably produced foods.

Ancillary insurance: Do consumers have all the useful information? - Union des consommateurs will identify the contractual conditions of ancillary insurance and review the Canadian and provincial legislative and regulatory measures that frame ancillary insurance (membership, cancellation, information, advice, etc.), and gather consumers perspectives.

Regulatory cooperation in Canada's trade treaties: Statutes and advances in consumer protection - Option Consommateurs will examine the provisions of various national and international agreements that deal with regulatory cooperation, exploring how they impact on consumers and consumer protection.

Junkfood advertising in Canada: What would be the best framework? - Union des consommateurs will study the type of legal and regulatory framework that would be most effective with respect to advertising "junkfood" targeted to children.