Transient Traders Licence
Council of the Town of Petawawa implemented a Transient Trader licence in order to ensure that out-of-town businesses are registered and approved by the Town. This has been enacted through our Transient Trader By-Law. All non-Petawawa businesses that operate in this manner are required to complete the Transient Trader documentation and provide all additional information as requested in the Transient Trader By-Law.
This process allows staff to review the business and product to ensure that they are permitted to operate and conduct business in this manner. It also allows staff the opportunity to make a posting on our website that advises residents that the business has in fact registered with the Town and will be in the community for a specified length of time.
Any business that fails to undergo this process is in violation and will be reported to the Ontario Provincial Police and/or ticketed by the Commissionaires, our By-law Enforcement Officers.
Email the Legislative Services Department
Ontario Ban on Door-to-Door Sales in Effect as of March 1st
New Law will Protect Consumers at Home
As of March 1, 2018, Ontario has banned unsolicited, door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect the consumer from aggressive and misleading contracting at home. Please see the attached communication from the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services regarding the new law and the list of household appliances included in the ban. If you wish to report a violation of this law please contact Consumer Protection Ontario at 1-800-889-9768.
Businesses will only be able to enter into a contract in the consumer's home if the consumer has contacted the business ahead of time and invited them into their home for the purpose of entering into a contract. Contracts that are in violation of the new rules relating to door-to-door contract solicitation will be considered void, and consumers will be able to keep the goods and services with no obligations.
The new rules will apply to:
- Air cleaners
- Air conditioners
- Air purifiers
- Duct cleaning services
- Furnaces
- Water filters
- Water heaters
- Water purifiers
- Water softeners
- Water treatment devices
- Bundles of these goods and services
In addition, businesses will be required to keep a record of how contact with the consumer entering the contract was made, and all contracts signed in the home for these goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period, allowing consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.
Protecting consumers is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of Medicare in a generation.
"These new laws will ensure that people aren’t being taken advantage of through unsolicited door-to-door contracting. We have heard from many consumers, including many seniors, who are being taken advantage of at their doorsteps. Our government is taking steps to protect Ontario consumers and provide them with more protection against aggressive and misleading door-to-door contracting tactics so that they can enjoy peace of mind in their homes."
Tracy MacCharles Minister of Government and Consumer Services
QUICK FACTS
- Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
- Ontario is the second province in Canada to restrict door-to-door solicitation and contracts.
- If a consumer calls for a repair, maintenance or any other reason, businesses will only be allowed to leave information about the products and services they offer, unless the business has a written contract in place with the consumer and secures the consumer’s approval in advance of the visit to solicit a contract for the restricted goods or services.
- Businesses will need to keep a record of how contact with the consumer was made and provide consumers with clear information about their rights.
LEARN MORE
Know your rights about door-to-door contracts.