A new Nanos poll commissioned by CTV News reveals that a majority of Canadians believe governments are failing to protect consumers from unethical contracts. According to the survey, 63% of respondents rated government performance as poor or very poor in shielding consumers from unfair agreements, while only 12% rated it as good or excellent.
Poll Details and Methodology
The poll, conducted from June 26 to 28, 2026, surveyed 1,018 Canadians aged 18 and over via telephone and online. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The question asked: “Do you think the government is doing a good job, a moderate job, or a poor job of protecting consumers from unethical contracts?”
Results showed 37% rated government performance as poor, 26% as very poor, 26% as moderate, 10% as good, and 2% as excellent. The remaining 1% were unsure.
Regional and Demographic Breakdown
Dissatisfaction was highest in British Columbia, where 72% of respondents rated government performance as poor or very poor. In Ontario, 65% gave a negative rating, followed by the Prairies at 60%, Atlantic Canada at 58%, and Quebec at 55%. Women were more critical than men, with 68% of women rating government performance poorly compared to 58% of men.
By age group, Canadians aged 55 and over were most dissatisfied, with 67% giving a negative rating. Those aged 35 to 54 followed at 63%, and those 18 to 34 at 58%.
Consumer Scams and Unethical Contracts
The poll comes amid growing concerns about unethical contracts and scams. For example, Gino and Cristabell Carletti of Mississauga, Ont., were scammed by contractors who left their home renovation unfinished. “We trusted them, and they took our money and ran,” Cristabell Carletti told CTV News. The couple lost over $20,000 and have been unable to recover the funds.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians lost over $569 million to fraud in 2025, a 40% increase from the previous year. Unethical contracts, including hidden fees and misleading terms, are a significant contributor.
Calls for Stronger Consumer Protection
Consumer advocates argue that governments need to do more to protect Canadians. “The current system is not working,” said John Lawford, executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. “We need stronger regulations and better enforcement to prevent companies from using unfair contract terms.”
The poll results suggest that Canadians across the country share this sentiment, with a clear majority calling for improved government action on consumer protection.
