Option consommateurs explained

Option consommateurs
Formation:1983[1]
Status:Active
Purpose:Consumer advocacy
Headquarters:Montreal, Quebec, Canada[2]
Region Served:Canada
Language:English, French
Leader Title:Executive director
Leader Name:Éliane Hamel[3]

Option consommateurs is a non-profit consumer organization dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of Canadian consumers.[4]

The organization was founded in 1983 and is based in Montreal. Its focus areas are energy, agri-food, financial services, privacy, and commercial practices.[1]

Through the Éconologis program, an energy efficiency program for low-income households run by the Quebec government's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources,[5] Option consommateurs has offered free visits to low-income households in Montréal, wherein consumers are given personalized advice to improve their energy consumption, as well as new electronic thermostats.[6]

Objectives

To achieve its mission, Option consommateurs pursues four objectives:

Activity

Option consommateurs is leading a class action lawsuit application filed in the Superior Court of Quebec on 22 March 2022 against several meat-processing companies, which are accused of conspiring to restrict competition in the production, supply, and sale of beef in Quebec. Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer with Option consommateurs and main plaintiff in the court filing, claims that since 2015 four companies worked to create a shortage in the beef market, thereby causing an upward movement in the price.[7] [8]

In March 2022, Option consommateurs, along with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Quebec Association of Industrial Electricity Consumers, called on the Quebec government to require the Régie de l'énergie du Québec to freeze Hydro-Québec electricity rates.[9] This follows an announcement by the crown corporation that it would increase rates in 2022 and 2023 in alignment with the rate of inflation.[10] Later, Option consommateurs said that even if the law is modified to limit the increase to 3%, it was launching a petition asking the government to restore the power of the Régie de l'énergie du Québec to set electricity rates annually.[11]

Funding

Option consommateurs has received funding from the Government of Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs for the years 2017 to 2023,[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] and from Centraide of Greater Montreal.[17] It also receives support from Chambre de la sécurité financière, Chambre des notaires du Québec, and the Government of Québec.[18]

References

  1. Web site: Mission . Option consommateurs . 2016-07-22.
  2. Web site: Contact Us . Option consommateurs . 2016-07-23.
  3. Web site: Team . Option consommateurs . 2016-07-22.
  4. http://www.option-consommateurs.org/ Option consommateurs – Accueil
  5. Web site: Éconologis . Government of Quebec . 2016-07-22 . 2016-07-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160717014758/http://www.efficaciteenergetique.gouv.qc.ca/mon-habitation/econologis#.V5JxV_l96Um . dead .
  6. Web site: Éconologis - A free program to save energy . Option consommateurs . 2008-09-10 . 2016-07-22 . 2016-08-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160816004925/http://www.option-consommateurs.org/salle_presse/communiques/188/ . dead .
  7. Web site: Alleged 'beef cartel' faces class action lawsuit in Quebec . Lau . Rachel . 30 March 2022 . CTV News . CTVNewsMontreal.ca.
  8. Web site: The Current Transcript for April 1, 2022 . cbc.ca .
  9. Web site: Groups call for freeze on Hydro-Quebec rates . 14 March 2022 . The Canadian Press . CBC News.
  10. Web site: Front commun pour un gel des tariffs d'Hydro-Québec . 14 March 2022 . La Presse canadienne . Le Devoir.
  11. Web site: Option consommateurs lance une pétition pour demander au gouvernement de redonner à la Régie de l'énergie le pouvoir de fixer annuellement les tarifs d'Hydro-Québec . 29 March 2022 . Option consommateurs.
  12. Web site: 2017-18 Project Summaries: Option consommateurs – Office of Consumer Affairs . 22 August 2017 .
  13. Web site: 2018-19 Project Summaries: Option consommateurs – Office of Consumer Affairs . 11 May 2018 .
  14. Web site: 2019-21 Project Summaries: Option consommateurs – Office of Consumer Affairs . 4 June 2019 .
  15. Web site: 2021-23 Project Summaries: Option consommateurs – Office of Consumer Affairs: Criticism toward businesses through social media and digital platforms: An alternative pathway to justice for consumers . 10 June 2021 .
  16. Web site: 2021-23 Project Summaries: Option consommateurs – Office of Consumer Affairs: Planning for the unexpected: Consumer compensation measures for catastrophic events . 16 April 2003 .
  17. Web site: Option consommateurs (ACEF Centre de Montreal) . Centraide Du Grand Montreal . 2022.
  18. Web site: Option consommateurs – association devoted in advocating and promoting the rights and interests of consumers . 6 June 2017 .

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