February 2020

Consumer Edge

Office of Consumer Affairs

February 2020

Travel insurance needs

Thinking of travelling during the upcoming winter break? Be ready for complications that may arise on your trip—get the right travel insurance for you and your family.

Before you buy travel insurance, check what other coverage you may have. For example your:

  • personal property insurance may cover lost or stolen luggage
  • car insurance may provide collision and liability coverage for rented vehicles
  • credit card may offer medical, baggage and other types of insurance
  • private health care insurance plan may also cover some out-of-country health costs

Be aware that your insurance company may not pay your medical claim if the Government of Canada has issued a Travel Advisory for your destination. So, make sure to consult the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination twice: once when you are planning your trip and again just before you leave.

For more information, visit the Check your travel insurance needs section of our website.

*NEW* Air Passenger Rights

New provisions of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations are now in full force. That means airlines flying to, from and within Canada must provide passengers with:

  • compensation of up to $1,000 for flight delays or cancellations for reasons within the airlines' control (except for safety reasons)
  • amenities (reasonable food and drink, access to communication, and hotel accommodations for overnight delays) when there is a flight delay or cancellation within the airline's control

If you've experienced a problem, such as damaged baggage or a flight cancellation, you should first contact your airline to try to resolve the issue. If that does not work, you can file an air travel complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Winter road readiness

Before hitting the wintery roads, make sure your car is safe and ready for the trip.

  • Install four snow-rated winter tires with proper traction and air pressure
  • Have the brake fluid, transmission fluid and power-steering fluid checked
  • Check that your vehicle lights are clear of ice and snow and work during the day and turn on automatically in the dark
  • Clear all windows and windshield wipers of ice and snow before driving
  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit and keep it in your car

For more tips to help keep you safe behind the wheel in snowy and icy conditions, check out The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's online exclusive on winter driving.

Pop quiz: measuring firewood

When buying bulk firewood, you should order it in legal units such as:

Sorry! You have answered incorrectly.

The answer is a) a cord. According to Measurement Canada, you can buy firewood using a "cord", "fractions of a cord" or "stacked cubic metres". The purchase of firewood in units identified as "face", "stove" or "apartment" cords is not recommended.

Check out the Buying firewood infographic for more information on buying bulk and prepackaged firewood.

Congratulations! You chose the right answer.

The answer is a) a cord. According to Measurement Canada, you can buy firewood using a "cord", "fractions of a cord" or "stacked cubic metres". The purchase of firewood in units identified as "face", "stove" or "apartment" cords is not recommended.

Check out the Buying firewood infographic for more information on buying bulk and prepackaged firewood.