Canadian Tire Ordered to Pay Nearly $1.3M Over False Advertising in Quebec
MONTREAL — Canadian Tire has been ordered to pay just under $1.3 million after pleading guilty to 74 violations of Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act related to misleading advertising practices.
Quebec court Judge Simon Lavoie approved the settlement on Friday at the Montreal courthouse, following an agreement between the Crown and the national retail chain. The fines and related costs range from $15,625 to $18,150 per count.
Crown prosecutor Jérôme Dussault said Canadian Tire initially pleaded not guilty before ultimately agreeing to the settlement.
Investigation Into Inflated “Regular Prices”
The charges stem from a six-month investigation conducted in 2021 by Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC).
The consumer watchdog concluded that Canadian Tire attempted to create the impression of steep discounts by advertising sale prices alongside inflated regular prices that were rarely, if ever, used in practice.
According to the OPC, analysis of sales data showed the products under investigation were seldom sold or promoted at the advertised regular price, undermining the legitimacy of the discounts.
Products and Timeframe
The OPC focused on seven products and reviewed their pricing between April and October 2021. Investigators examined Canadian Tire flyers, online listings and pricing at three Montreal-area stores.
Under the agreement, Canadian Tire admitted liability for five of the products, including:
- Henckels and Cuisinart knife sets
- Lagostina and Heritage cookware
- A DeWalt cordless drill
Company Response
In an emailed statement issued Friday, a spokesperson for Canadian Tire said the charges related to a limited number of products and emphasized that customers were not financially harmed.
“The OPC charges relate to five products over a six-month period five years ago. Importantly, no customers were overcharged and the matter is now concluded,” the statement said.
Payment Timeline
Canadian Tire has 12 months to pay the fines imposed under the settlement.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Feb. 6, 2026.
Source: ctvnews
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