Help and resources for Ontario landscaper disputes and consumer protection
If you're dealing with a landscaping contractor dispute in Ontario, or just want to check a company out before hiring, these are the real organisations that can help. The list below covers government bodies that enforce consumer protection law, the province's main horticultural trade association, and legal and dispute-resolution resources for when a job goes wrong.
Government & regulatory
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Consumer Protection Ontario (Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement)
Enforces the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and other consumer safety laws in Ontario. Accepts and investigates complaints against businesses, including landscaping and home-improvement contractors, and maintains a public Consumer Beware List of businesses with convictions or judgments against them.
Visit website → Phone: 1-800-889-9768 (Toronto area 416-326-8800; TTY toll-free 1-877-666-6545); Hours Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. -
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
Ontario's workplace injury insurance board. Homeowners can use its free online lookup to confirm a landscaping contractor's WSIB clearance certificate is valid before hiring, since an uninsured contractor's workplace injury can create liability for the homeowner as principal.
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Competition Bureau Canada
Federal law enforcement agency responsible for the Competition Act, which prohibits false or misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices nationally. Consumers can file a complaint if a landscaping business engages in deceptive pricing or advertising.
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Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Federal fraud-reporting body jointly operated by the Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP, and Competition Bureau. Collects reports on fraud, including contractor and home-improvement fraud, and shares prevention information nationally.
Industry & professional associations
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Landscape Ontario (Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association)
Ontario's main horticultural and landscaping trade association, representing over 3,000 member companies across nine regional chapters and sector groups, including landscape contractors and lawn care businesses. Runs a member-complaint process to try to mediate disputes between consumers and member companies, though it has no legal enforcement authority.
Consumer protection
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Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ontario
Non-profit organization providing free business reviews, ratings, and a dispute-resolution/complaint process for consumers and businesses in the Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Barrie, Oshawa, and Niagara Peninsula areas, including landscaping contractors.
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Consumers Council of Canada
Toronto-based, national non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1994 that works toward a fair and safe marketplace for Canadian consumers and represents consumer interests in policy discussions.
Legal help
This is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your specific situation.
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Small Claims Court (Ontario Superior Court of Justice)
Division of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that hears civil money claims and disputes over personal property up to $50,000. A common venue for consumers pursuing unresolved disputes with a landscaping contractor over shoddy work, non-completion, or overpayment.
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Law Society of Ontario, Law Society Referral Service
Free referral service run by Ontario's legal regulator that connects the public with a lawyer or paralegal for an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes, including on matters such as contract disputes with a contractor.
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Pro Bono Ontario, Free Legal Advice Hotline
Charitable organization offering free telephone legal advice from volunteer lawyers to low- and moderate-income Ontarians on consumer matters, including contract disputes and unfair charges.
Visit website → Phone: 1-855-255-7256; Hours Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. -
Legal Aid Ontario
Publicly funded organization providing legal advice, representation, and referrals to eligible low-income Ontarians, including through a network of community legal clinics that can advise on consumer and contract issues.
Visit website → Phone: 1-800-668-8258; Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EST
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