MPP Ernie Hardeman’s Motion Aimed at Protecting Grieving Families Receives Support in the Legislature

Motion will study consumer protection and freedom of choice in the bereavement sector

October 31, 2024

WOODSTOCK — Yesterday, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman’s motion to study the practices of the bereavement sector was debated and received support in the Legislature. The motion seeks to ensure that grieving families in Ontario have freedom of choice in access to 3^rd party sellers and are not stifled from choosing the products and services they believe best honours their loved one. The motion reads:

That, in the opinion of this House, the Government of Ontario should conduct a comprehensive review of the practices in the funeral, burial, and cremation services sector to ensure they prioritize protecting vulnerable families in their time of bereavement, promote freedom of choice in access to 3^rd party sellers, and determine if the current rules and framework under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 are fair and achieve the highest level of consumer protection.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all the Members who supported my motion because it’s clear that the current framework is not adequately protecting Ontarians,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “Unfair practices, such as the tied selling of monuments, continue to artificially increase prices and prevent people from comparison shopping for the products and services that they think are best for their loved one. It is taking advantage of people at a very difficult time, and it has to stop.”

“The Ontario Monument Builders Association is thankful to MPP Hardeman and those who supported his motion to review the causes of tied selling and aggressive sales practices in the bereavement sector,” said Gary Foster, Executive Director of the Ontario Monument Builders Association. “We believe that the most effective way to promote consumer protections and their rights is through competition and choice. The current Act and its regulations have allowed for the concentration of services, leaving grieving families vulnerable to aggressive sales tactics due to their loss of choice.”

“With the passing of my motion, I urge the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery to quickly and thoroughly conduct this review because Ontarians expect the highest level of consumer protection and freedom of choice in the bereavement sector,” said Hardeman.