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What is CAC?
The Consumers' Association of Canada is an independent, nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to educating and informing consumers and to representing the best interests of consumers to all levels of government and to all sectors of society.  Established in 1947, CAC Manitoba is governed by an elected Board of Directors.   We strive to empower consumers to make informed choices by providing access to resource information and other educational material as well as acting as a referral agency.

What does CAC do for you?
CAC gives you unbiased information. Through its quarterly publication, The Manitoba Consumer, you receive unbiased information on housing, health, energy, finance, food, transportation, and more. The Manitoba Consumer also brings you results of independent product testing, purchasing tips, how-to articles, columns and features on current consumer issues. CAC takes your opinion to where it counts. Through representation on boards and committees, through presentations to committees, through interventions and at rate hearings, CAC puts forward the consumers' point of view on safety, prices and quality of service.

Our mission:
To educate and inform consumers and to represent the best interests of consumers to all levels of government and to all sectors of society. To empower consumers to make informed choices by providing access to resource information and other educational material as well as acting as a referral agency.

Who are Consumers?
A consumer can be anyone. You are a consumer when you buy an item or use a service. You are a consumer when you ride the bus, buy a new sweater or eat at a restaurant. Wise consumers do research before they make a purchase. Consumers have certain rights and responsibilities.

Consumers Rights, Responsibilities and Choices: en français
The right to goods and services which meet your basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter.
The right to protection against goods or services that are harmful to you and your family.
The right to facts and information to help you choose the best product.
The right to opportunities for you to get the knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer.
The right to a good variety of quality products and services.
The right to a role in making goverment policies for the marketplace.
The right to a fair settlement to make up unsatisfactoy goods and services.
The right to a healthy environment now and in the future.

The responsibility to help encourage and defend the interests of all consumers.
The responsibility to search out and use available information.
The responsibility to read instructions and take precautions.
The responsibility to make your own informed consumer choices.
The responsibility to take advantage of educational opportunities.
The responsibility to consider the environment before making a purchase.
The responsibility to make your own opinions known.
The responsibility to insist on a fair and reasonable settlement.

The choice to read labels, follow instructions, and research before you purchase.
The choice to use safety equipment, use products as instructed, teach safety habits to children.
The choice to complain effectively and refuse to accept shoddy workmanship.
The choice to resist high pressure sales people, and to comparison shop.
The choice to reduce waste, reuse products wherever possible and recycle.
The choice to attend seminars and workshops; lobby for consumer education in schools.
The choice to join Consumers Association of Canada and make your voice heard.

Les consommateurs le droits et le responsabliltés.
Le droit à des produits et services qui répondent à vos besoin primaires, y compris les aliments, les vêtements et le logement.
Le droit à une protection contre les biens et services qui pourraient vous nuire.
Le droit à des faits et de l'information qui vous aident à choisir le meilleur produit.
Le droit à des occasions d'obtenir les compétences et les connaissances nécessaires pour être un consommateur averti.
Le droit à un choix sufisant de biens et services de qualité.
Le droit à un rôle à jouer dans les politiques gouverementales.
Le droit à un règlement juste des réclamations justifées.
Le droit à un environnement sain aujoud'hui et dans l'avenir.

La responsabilité d'aider à encourager et défendre les intérêts de tous les consommateurs.
La responsabilité pour découvrir et utiliser l'information disponible.
La responsabilité pour lire des instructions et prendre des précautions.
La responsabilité pour faire vos propres choix au courant du consommateur.
La responsabilité pour tirer profit des occasions éducatives.
La responsabilité pour considérer l'environnement avant de faire un achat.
La responsabilité pour faire connaître vos propres avis.
La responsabilité pour insister pour un règlement juste et raisonnable.