CanadaCan a store sell me less product than what the package says (short measure)?
No, a store cannot legally sell you less product than what is stated on the package — doing so violates Canada’s Weights and Measures Act.
What the Law Says
Canada’s federal Weights and Measures Act sets strict rules to protect consumers from being sold less than the stated amount of a product.
Under section 33 of the Weights and Measures Act, it is an offence for anyone to supply a commodity in a quantity less than what is stated at the time of sale. This applies whether the quantity is shown on the package, in advertising, or communicated verbally or digitally.
The law covers all consumer goods sold by weight, measure, or count — including food, beverages, cleaning products, and more. Even small discrepancies can trigger enforcement if intentional or systemic.
Violations are treated as criminal offences and may result in fines, imprisonment, or both — especially for repeat or deliberate short-measuring.
Statutory TextOffence to supply less of a commodity than the quantity stated at the time of sale.
— Weights and Measures Act, s. 33 — Short measure offence
What to Do
Check the package for net quantity (e.g., '500 g', '2 L') and compare it with what you received.
Keep the receipt and original packaging as evidence.
Report suspected short measure to Measurement Canada (the federal regulator) online or by phone.
If the issue involves a large discrepancy or repeated behaviour, consider filing a complaint with your provincial consumer affairs office as well.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.