Proposed amendments to consumer protection laws in B.C. will quell predatory sales practices and safeguard vulnerable people from making poor purchasing decisions on items such as air conditioners and furnaces.

The proposed legislative changes will modernize the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA) to reflect contemporary business practices. The amendments are designed to promote contract fairness and transparency and to strengthen consumer rights.

“Our office hears from seniors who have fallen victim to scams and purchased an item or service they didn’t need due to high-pressure sales tactics,” said Dan Levitt, B.C. seniors advocate. “Many older British Columbians live on fixed incomes and take great care with their finances. Therefore, giving seniors and others space to review contracts in advance and prohibiting home sales will reduce the opportunities for older people to buy products and services they don’t need and can’t afford.”

Attorney General Niki Sharma said the amendments will better protect people from unfair business practices in an increasingly complex marketplace. Key changes will:

• require businesses to provide important contract terms up front, including improved remedies for consumers related to renewal, cancellation, return and refund policies, particularly for online orders, bringing more transparency to pre-purchase contracts;
• introduce notification requirements for automatic subscription renewals and restrict significant contract changes without the customer’s consent;
• prohibit contract terms that restrict participation in class-action lawsuits, restrict consumer reviews or require private arbitration for disputes;
• ban direct sales of high-cost household products, such as air conditioners and furnaces, and prohibit offering credit as part of a direct sale, reducing the risk of predatory sales tactics;
• provide clearer pathways for consumers to cancel contracts under specified conditions; and
• give consumers the ability to use the Civil Resolution Tribunal to adjudicate disputes under the BPCPA.

The amendments were developed with public and stakeholder engagement to ensure that B.C.’s most vulnerable consumers, including seniors, newcomers and people with lower incomes or disabilities, are aware of their rights and are protected.

The province said it will continue to work with Consumer Protection BC and stakeholders to provide businesses with reasonable time so they can adjust their practices to meet the new requirements.