SaskWatch Newsletter
Consumer Association of Saskatchewan Inc.
SaskWatch Newsletter Fall 2023
CASK’s New Strategic Plan
Hello SaskWatch readers:
The CASK Board would like to share news with you about our new strategic plan that will set our direction for the next five years. Before I talk about the future, it is always good to reflect on our past and look at where we are today.
Past:
CASK grew out of the Consumer Association of Canada (CAC) whose roots date back to the second world war when the cost of food and other consumer goods skyrocketed. Womens’ organizations from across Canada united to work with government to control inflation and to provide information to consumers.
After the war, the National Council of Women and the Consumer Branch of the War Time Prices and Trade Board suggested that a permanent consumers association be established. The Consumer Association of Canada was founded in 1947.
Present:
The Consumer Association of Saskatchewan (CASK) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based, organization that represents, informs and advocates on behalf of consumers. CASK is committed to fairness in the marketplace and to improving the quality of life for all Saskatchewan consumers.
Future:
In April 2023 the Board held a strategic planning session and we are launching our new strategic plan. We will be closing the CASK office and moving to an online presence; we are also reimagining the SaskWatch newsletter.
Vision:
A voice for Saskatchewan consumers in support of informed decision making.
Mission:
To inform, educate and advocate for the rights of Saskatchewan consumers.
CASK Strategic Goals:
- Strengthen the human and financial resources of CASK.
- Strengthen the presence and public profile of CASK.
- Improve the capacity of CASK to better understand and represent the opinions and needs of Saskatchewan consumers.
- Identify topics of importance to Saskatchewan consumers that require CASK to focus efforts on related research, communication and/or advocacy.
- Improve the ability of CASK to respond to emerging consumer issues in a timely manner.
- Build collaborative relationships with like-minded organizations to achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
- Expand CASK Board of Directors to improve diversity and provincial representation.
Consumer Resources
Canadian Consumer Handbook is intended to help you become a better-informed and more confident consumer. It offers information on a wide range of topics including online shopping, contracts, housing and home renovations, identity theft, and collection agencies to help you build your buying skills. Being a well-informed consumer is key to protecting yourself. Critically examine product and service offerings before purchasing, to make sure there are no unexpected or negative implications. Always remember – if it seems too good to be true it usually is. Along with consumer tips, The Handbook also includes a directory of government and non-government contacts useful to consumers. For more information, visit consumerhandbook.ca.
The Little Black Book of Scams is a compact, easy-to-use reference guide aimed to increase awareness of the many different kinds of scams targeting Canadians. It provides information on how to recognize scams, how both consumers and businesses can protect themselves, contact information for reporting a scam, and offers a step-by-step guide for victims to reduce their losses and avoid becoming repeat victims. Every year, Canadians lose millions of dollars to scammers who bombard us with online, mail, door-to-door and telephone scams targetting people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels. The best way to fight fraud is to avoid becoming a victim.
211 Saskatchewan is a free, confidential service that connects individuals to resources in the province by telephone, text, online chat, or through a searchable website. It offers a database of over 6,000 community, social, non-clinical health, and government services across our province, connecting people to information about: basic human needs (such as housing, food banks, shelter, clothing depots); services of children, youth and families; physical and mental health services; assistance for people with disabilities, seniors and newcomers to Canada; and employment support. When you call or text 2-1-1, or start a web chat session at sk.211.ca, you are connected with a trained Service Navigator, 24/7, that will help determine which services are available and most appropriate to meet your individual needs. Alternatively, you can search for services through their website: https://sk.211.ca.
Ombudsman Saskatchewan Are you having problems with a provincial or municipal government service? Ombudsman Saskatchewan says they may be able to help. They takes complaints about provincial government ministries, agencies, crown corporations and most health entities. They also take complaints about Saskatchewan cities, towns, villages, resort villages, rural municipalities, northern municipalities, and municipal council members. If you’ve tried to resolve a problem and you still think it’s unfair, they suggest you make a complaint to their office. Their website: ombudsman.sk.ca has detailed information on how to go about making a complaint or you can phone toll-free: 1-800-667-9787; Regina: 306-787-6211; Saskatoon: 306-933-5500.
Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (CAFC) is Canada’s national anti-fraud call centre and fraud data repository. As of December 31, 2022 there were 90,137 reports of fraud with 56,352 victims loosing a total of $530 million dollars. The call takers are trained anti-fraud specialists who provide advice on the steps that victims should take to recover lost funds and to protect themselves in the future. They also play a crucial role in educating the public about specific fraudulent telemarketing pitches and in collecting and disseminating victim evidence, statistics and documentation, all of which are made available to law enforcement agencies. Check out CAFC’s web for a list and description of common scams plus some tips on how to avoid being caught in one. If you’re reporting a fraud, start with your local police agency and then contact the CAFC toll free at: 1.888.495-8501 or go to their web: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
NotifyNow. In the event of an emergency caused by extreme weather or a man-made event, whether it’s citywide or area specific, NotifyNow will contact you with important information on what to do, where to go, and what to expect. You will receive either a voice message to your home, work or cell phone, an email, or a text message depending on your preference. To receive notifications, you must have some form of contact information entered into their database. Sign up at: saskatoon.ca/notifynow or regina.ca/ residents/notifynow/. Disaster can strike with little to no notice, so the best way to be ready for any emergency is to have a plan. Public Safety Canada offers valuable information on being prepared: www.getprepared.gc.ca
SaskWatch Autumn 2024
Published by:
Consumer Association of Saskatchewan
Contributors:
- Patricia Lewis
- Lou Hammond Ketilson
- Brea Lowenberger
CASK Board of Directors
President: Lou Hammond Ketilson
Vice-President: Patricia Lewis
Secretary: Courtney Pickard
Treasurer: Koby Kelln
Member at Large: Donna Slusar
Connect with us on social media
Phone
(306) 242-4909
For inquiries and complaints, please call us.
Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns
Mailing Address
Consumer Association of Saskatchewan Inc. (CASK) P.O. Box 7344 Saskatoon, SK S7K 4J3
Send us mail at the address above for assistance.
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The Consumer Association of Saskatchewan exists because of the generous commitment of its volunteers.