1. Acceptance of Terms
By creating an account, accessing, or using any part of the LocalScout platform (the "Platform") — including the website at localscout.ca, our mobile applications, or any related services — you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms").
If you are using LocalScout on behalf of a business or other legal entity, you represent that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms, and references to "you" throughout these Terms include that entity.
2. Platform Role — We Are a Marketplace
LocalScout is an online marketplace that connects individuals and businesses ("Customers") with independent, self-employed service professionals ("Providers") across Canada. LocalScout operates across all categories of services — including but not limited to automotive, cleaning, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, tutoring, personal care, and any other service a Provider offers. Services may be delivered at the Customer's location, at the Provider's premises, or at any mutually agreed location.
LocalScout Canada Inc. is not a contractor, employer, staffing agency, or service provider of any kind. Providers are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or partners of LocalScout. LocalScout does not direct, supervise, or control how Providers perform their work, nor does LocalScout guarantee the quality, legality, timeliness, or outcome of any service. LocalScout is not liable for any act, omission, injury, loss, damage, or violation of law arising from any service arranged through the Platform.
What LocalScout does:
- Provides technology infrastructure to browse, book, and review local service professionals
- Verifies business licences, insurance, and credentials on a best-efforts basis
- Facilitates communication between Customers and Providers
- Moderates reviews and resolves platform disputes
- Maintains Canadian data residency and PIPEDA-compliant privacy practices
What LocalScout does not do:
- Employ or supervise Providers in any capacity
- Guarantee that any service meets a particular standard or is fit for any purpose
- Accept liability for the acts, omissions, or regulatory compliance of Providers or Customers
- Provide warranties for workmanship, materials, or outcomes of any service
- Verify or ensure that Providers hold all licences, permits, or insurance required by law in your province or territory
3. Eligibility & Accounts
You must be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into a binding contract under the laws of your province to use LocalScout. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these requirements.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately at support@localscout.ca if you suspect unauthorized access. LocalScout is not liable for losses arising from unauthorized use of your account.
You may not create more than one Customer account or, if you are a Provider, more than one Provider account without written permission from LocalScout. We reserve the right to merge, suspend, or terminate duplicate or fraudulent accounts.
4. Customer Obligations
As a Customer using LocalScout to request services, you agree to:
- 1Provide accurate information about the service location, scope of work, and any hazards or access requirements relevant to the service — whether the service is at your location or the Provider's.
- 2Be present or make appropriate arrangements at the agreed appointment time and location.
- 3Treat Providers with professionalism and respect. Harassment, discrimination, or threatening behavior is grounds for immediate account termination.
- 4Pay for services in the amount agreed before or at the time of service completion. Dispute payment only through the LocalScout resolution process, not by withholding payment after work is completed.
- 5Leave honest, accurate reviews based on your genuine experience. Reviews must not be defamatory, fabricated, or written in exchange for a benefit.
- 6Not attempt to engage a Provider off-platform to circumvent LocalScout's marketplace (see Section 8).
- 7Comply with all applicable federal and provincial laws in connection with your use of the Platform.
5. Provider Obligations
As a Provider, you are an independent contractor operating your own business. You agree to:
Licencing & Insurance
Maintain all licences, registrations, certifications, and insurance required by applicable federal, provincial, and municipal law for your trade. This includes but is not limited to: Red Seal / provincial journeyperson certificates for regulated trades, Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance with a minimum $2M per occurrence, and any specialty permits required for the specific services you list on the Platform.
Workers' Compensation Compliance
Where required by the laws of the province or territory in which you operate, you must hold a valid workers' compensation clearance or proof of exemption (e.g., WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in British Columbia, WCB in Alberta, and equivalent bodies in other provinces). LocalScout may request such documentation at any time and may suspend your account for non-compliance. LocalScout is not liable for any workers' compensation claim, workplace injury, or regulatory penalty arising from your operations.
Service Quality & Conduct
- Arrive within the agreed booking window or notify the Customer in advance of delays.
- Complete work to a professional standard using appropriate materials, tools, and methods.
- Carry valid photo identification and, where applicable, your trade credentials when attending a job.
- Maintain a safe, professional environment whether the service is at your premises or the Customer's location.
- Not subcontract work to unlicensed or uninsured individuals without Customer consent.
- Respect the Customer's property and clean up work areas upon job completion.
- Respond to booking requests and messages within 24 hours.
Tax Responsibilities
You are solely responsible for all tax obligations arising from your use of LocalScout, including GST/HST registration and remittance, provincial sales tax, income tax, and T4A reporting where applicable. LocalScout does not withhold taxes on your behalf.
Profile Accuracy
All information in your Provider profile — including trade categories, service areas, credentials, and pricing — must be accurate and kept up to date. Misrepresentation is grounds for immediate suspension and may expose you to civil liability.
6. Booking & Cancellation
Booking Confirmation
A booking is not confirmed until the Provider explicitly accepts the Customer's request through the Platform. Providers have the right to decline any booking request without providing a reason, subject to applicable human rights legislation.
Customer Cancellations
Customers may cancel a confirmed booking at no charge if cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice may result in a cancellation fee set by the Provider and displayed on their profile. Repeat late cancellations (3 or more within 90 days) may result in account restrictions.
Provider Cancellations
Providers may cancel a booking no later than 12 hours before the scheduled start time except in genuine emergencies (which must be documented). Frequent Provider-initiated cancellations (3 or more within 90 days) may result in lower search placement, suspension, or removal from the Platform.
No-Shows
A Provider who fails to arrive within 30 minutes of the agreed start time without prior notice is considered a "no-show." Customers must document no-shows through the Platform. Providers with repeated no-shows will be suspended.
7. Payment Terms
During the current MVP phase, all payments are made directly between Customers and Providers (offline / cash or e-transfer). LocalScout does not process, hold, or guarantee any payment between parties at this time.
Prices displayed on LocalScout are estimates provided by Providers and may be subject to change based on actual site conditions. Providers should provide a written quote or confirm the final price before commencing work.
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and are inclusive of or exclusive of applicable taxes as specified by the Provider.
8. Reviews & Ratings
Reviews are central to the trust and safety of our marketplace. Both Customers and Providers agree to the following review standards:
- 1Reviews must reflect a genuine, first-hand experience with the other party.
- 2Reviews must not be fabricated, purchased, incentivized, or coerced.
- 3Reviews must not contain personal attacks, discriminatory language, or content that could constitute defamation under Canadian law.
- 4Providers may submit a single written response to any review. Responses must be professional and must not contain personal information about the Customer.
- 5LocalScout reserves the right to remove reviews that violate these standards after investigation. We do not remove negative reviews simply because a Provider disagrees with them.
- 6Attempting to manipulate your rating through fake accounts, coordinated reviews, or coercing Customers to modify or remove reviews is a serious violation and may result in permanent ban.
9. Prohibited Conduct
The following conduct is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate suspension or permanent termination of your account, and may be reported to appropriate authorities:
Off-Platform Solicitation
Soliciting Customers to book or pay outside of LocalScout to avoid marketplace fees or protections.
Impersonation
Impersonating another person, Provider, business, or LocalScout employee.
Fraud & Misrepresentation
Providing false credentials, fake reviews, fraudulent pricing, or misrepresenting the scope of work completed.
Harassment & Discrimination
Harassing, threatening, or discriminating against any user based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
Unlicensed Trade Work
Performing regulated trade work (electrical, gas, HVAC, structural) without the required provincial licence or permit.
Data Scraping
Using bots, crawlers, or automated tools to scrape Provider or Customer data from the Platform.
Account Abuse
Creating multiple accounts, sharing accounts, or operating accounts on behalf of a suspended user.
Interference with the Platform
Attempting to hack, overload, exploit, or interfere with any part of LocalScout's technology infrastructure.
10. Intellectual Property
The LocalScout name, logo, trademarks, website design, software, and all content created by LocalScout are the property of LocalScout Canada Inc. and are protected by Canadian copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use, copy, reproduce, or distribute any LocalScout intellectual property without prior written consent.
By submitting content to LocalScout (including reviews, profile photos, service descriptions, and messages), you grant LocalScout a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, display, reproduce, and distribute that content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform. You retain ownership of your content and may request its removal at any time, subject to our data retention obligations.
11. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability
Platform Provided "As Is"
LocalScout provides the Platform on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free of viruses.
No Warranty on Services
LocalScout does not guarantee the quality, safety, suitability, or outcome of any service performed by a Provider. Disputes about the quality of work must be resolved between the Customer and Provider, with LocalScout's dispute resolution available as a facilitation resource.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Canadian federal and provincial or territorial law, LocalScout Canada Inc., its directors, officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform or any service arranged through it, regardless of where in Canada the service is performed or where you are located.
In no event shall LocalScout's total liability to you for any claim arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Platform exceed the greater of (a) $100 CAD, or (b) the total fees paid by you to LocalScout in the 12 months preceding the claim.
12. Dispute Resolution
Between Users
If a dispute arises between a Customer and a Provider regarding a booking or service, both parties should first attempt to resolve it directly and in good faith. If direct resolution fails, either party may submit a dispute to LocalScout via disputes@localscout.ca.
LocalScout will review the dispute, request documentation from both parties, and attempt to facilitate a resolution within 10 business days. LocalScout's decision is final with respect to platform-level actions (e.g., account standing, review removal) but does not constitute legal arbitration and is not binding on the underlying civil matter.
With LocalScout
Before commencing any legal proceeding against LocalScout, you agree to first contact us at legal@localscout.ca and allow 30 days for good-faith resolution. If no resolution is reached, the matter may be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in Canada (see Section 13).
13. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable Canadian federal law and the laws of the province or territory in which you reside or carry on business, without regard to conflict of law principles. LocalScout operates across all Canadian provinces and territories and these Terms are intended to be enforceable nationwide.
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of LocalScout may be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in Canada. Nothing in these Terms prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive or other equitable relief in any Canadian court.
LocalScout is not liable for your compliance — or non-compliance — with any federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal law, regulation, licence requirement, permit, or professional standard applicable to your trade, profession, or business. It is your sole responsibility as a Provider to know and comply with all laws that apply to the services you offer in each jurisdiction where you operate.
The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to these Terms.
14. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, applicable law, or business practices. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email (to the address on file) and by displaying a notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect.
Your continued use of LocalScout after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree, you must stop using LocalScout and may close your account by contacting support@localscout.ca.
15. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, platform conduct, or legal matters, contact us:
Mailing Address
LocalScout Canada Inc.
Canada
These Terms were last updated on March 10, 2026.