Saskatchewan

Sask. government looking to change rules on door-to-door sales

Do you have a strong opinion on door-to-door salespeople? Then the province of Saskatchewan wants your input on a potential repeal and replace of the Direct Sellers Act, which defines who can sell what and how in the province.

Aim of consultation to curb sales scams which can lock people into pricey, lengthy contracts

The province is looking at a potential repeal and replace of its Direct Sellers Act, which determines who can sell products door-to-door or by phone. (Ken Tannenbaum/Shuttershock)

The government of Saskatchewan is looking for the public's input as it mulls over replacing the rules governing direct sellers.

The province's Direct Sellers Act governs who can sell products in the province through door-to-door sales or over the telephone.

Some of the key issues in the consultations are just who should be considered a direct seller, whether the current licensing exemptions should remain in place, and what exactly should constitute "direct selling."

For instance, right now people selling such things as newspapers, fuel, and fresh food are exempt from licensing under the rules governing direct sellers.

The government also wants to know whether the term of contracts negotiated with direct sellers should be limited.  

Door-to-door scams can lock people into pricey and lengthy contracts for items such as water softeners or furnaces.

More information can be found online.

The deadline for public input is Nov. 15.