Canada: Consumer Law

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal in a Quebec greenwashing class action against major retailers over "recyclable" bag labels. The case challenges whether products made of theoretically recyclable material can be marketed as recyclable when Quebec recycling facilities don't accept them, with implications for environmental marketing claims across Canada.

As the demand for "clean beauty" and sustainable personal care products continues to grow, so too does the risk of deceptive advertising and greenwashing claims.

On June 12, 2026, Bill 10, titled the “Act to protect consumers against abusive practices related to ticket resale and online subscription renewals” (“Bill 10”), received assent. Through this reform, the Québec legislature has tightened the framework applicable to certain commercial practices, particularly with respect to online subscriptions, termination of contracts involving sequential performance, and ticket resale. Bill 10 amends, among other things, the Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) and the Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act (the “Regulation”).

Canada's federal government has finalized amendments to the Medical Devices Regulations, introducing significant changes to medical device establishment licensing requirements. These modernized regulations eliminate the need for foreign distributors to hold separate licenses when selling through licensed Canadian importers, mandate supplier list disclosure to Health Canada, and establish explicit documentation requirements for safety-management procedures.

Osler’s national Privacy and Data Management team offers insights into major Canadian privacy legislative reform in The Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act (Bill C-36): key obligations and enforcement overview.

On June 10, 2026, the federal government introduced Bill C-34, also known as the Safe Social Media Act. The proposed legislation represents a sweeping effort to regulate social media platforms...

Québec’s legal warranty regime imposes strict obligations on professional sellers, largely owing to the presumptions set out in article 1729 of the Civil Code of Québec (C.C.Q.).

Appealing Briefs is a podcast series hosted by McCarthy Tétrault partner Adam Goldenberg that delivers concise updates on significant decisions from Canadian appellate courts. Each episode features interviews with leading lawyers and business advisors who break down complex legal rulings and explain their practical implications for businesses, industries, and legal practitioners across Canada.

On April 24, 2026, Health Canada announced that sports electrolyte products will transition from the natural health product (NHP) framework to the supplemented food regulatory framework...