Anytime Fitness Plateau pleads guilty for charges under Consumer Protection Act

Sophie Demers 

The Office of Consumer Protection announced earlier this month that the Anytime Fitness, located at 213 Boulevard Des Grives, and its owner Jeffrey Christison, pleaded guilty in September to multiple charges under the Consumer Protection Act.

The charges were related to operating a health studio without proper licensing. The company was also using a non-compliant contract, and Christison admitted to using a prohibited clause in the contracts. According to the Consumer Protection office, this clause was intended to exempt the company from liability for the consequences of its action or those of its representatives. 

The company must pay $9,000 in fines while the owner was fined $2,826. These violations of the Consumer Protection Act transpired in February of 2023. It should be noted that the company has now rectified the situation by obtaining the required permits.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, health studios are required to comply with special rules related to contact content and payments as well as contact cancellation and penalties. Additionally, health studios must have an Office of Consumer Protection issued permit. The business must also provide a $25,000 bond for each of their establishments. The bond is used to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and would be used to compensate consumers if the business closes. 

The Office of Consumer Protection is a Provincial government agency with the mission to help consumers make informed choices when making purchases of goods and services and to make Quebecers aware of their rights, obligations, and resources available if problems arise with a business.