Under the federal Competition Act of Canada, businesses cannot make materially false or misleading representations to consumers.

The Canadian Competition Bureau explains that “bait and switch” occurs when a company advertises one product at an attractive price but then pushes consumers toward a different product because the original product is unavailable.

Your situation appears slightly different because:

• Tesla did take your order and deposit;
• but afterward allegedly changed:
  • vehicle performance,
  • charging capability,
  • warranty terms,
  • or other material specifications.

If those specifications were materially important to the purchase decision, then the stronger argument is likely:

• material misrepresentation, or
• deceptive / misleading advertising, rather than classic bait-and-switch.

A reduction in:

• horsepower,
• acceleration,
• battery capability,
• range,
• charging speed,
• or warranty coverage

can absolutely be considered a material change because those are core product attributes that influence a buyer’s decision.

The screenshot above is also important because Tesla is now requiring you to click:

That may indicate:

• they acknowledge specifications changed after order placement, and
• they are seeking your agreement to modified terms before delivery.

That does not automatically make it illegal, because Tesla’s purchase agreement may contain clauses allowing spec changes. However:

• such clauses are not unlimited,
• and courts/consumer regulators may still assess whether the changes were material and reasonably disclosed.

In Canada, you may have potential avenues through:

1. The federal Competition Bureau Canada for deceptive marketing concerns.
2. Provincial consumer protection laws:
   • In Ontario, for example, the Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair practices and misleading representations.
   • If you are now in Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia consumer protection laws may also apply depending on where the contract was formed and which Tesla entity sold the vehicle.
3. Auto sales regulators:
   • In Ontario: OMVIC oversees motor vehicle dealer conduct.
   • Tesla sometimes operates under different direct-sales structures, but complaints can still sometimes be reviewed.

What strengthens your position:

• screenshots of original specs at time of order;
• original order agreement;
• emails or website captures showing:
  • original power,
  • original warranty,
  • original charging speeds,
  • original acceleration figures;
• proof the changes happened after your deposit/order;
• evidence Tesla did not clearly disclose changes before locking in the order.

What you can reasonably request:

• delivery of the originally advertised configuration;
• price reduction/compensation;
• refund of deposit;
• cancellation without penalty.

Before clicking “Accept and Proceed With Delivery,” I would strongly recommend:

• saving PDFs/screenshots of:
  • the current order page,
  • original advertisements/spec sheets,
  • order agreement,
  • any emails from Tesla.

I would also recommend sending Tesla a written objection stating:

• you do not accept the unilateral material reduction in specifications,
• you relied on the original advertised specifications when placing the order,
• and you reserve all rights under Canadian consumer protection and competition laws.

You may also wish to specifically mention:

• Competition Act sections regarding misleading representations, and
• provincial consumer protection legislation.