Summary

• Changes to B.C.’s consumer protection laws are in effect, providing stronger protections against automatic contract renewals, high-pressure direct sales and other business practices that can lead to unexpected costs 
• Other new protections against identity and credit related fraud will come into effect in August 2027, helping people better protect their financial information and making it harder for fraudsters to open credit card accounts or take loans

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People in B.C. have stronger protections against automatic contract renewals, high-pressure direct sales and other business practices that can lead to unexpected costs.

“When people are focused on managing the cost of living, they shouldn’t have to worry about paying for services they no longer want or getting locked into unfair contract terms,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Our government is committed to saving people money, and stronger protections like these will help reduce unexpected charges, increase transparency around renewals and make it easier for people to cancel services when they choose.”

Amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act that came into effect on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, modernize B.C.’s consumer protection laws that regulate consumer contracts to better reflect the marketplace, promote fairness and transparency, strengthen consumer rights and help people make informed financial decisions.

The measures will better protect people from unclear contract terms, unexpected automatic subscription renewals of services, such as food delivery and streaming subscriptions, and predatory sales practices on everyday items and services.

“As the regulator responsible for administering consumer protection laws in this province, we welcome these changes to reduce risks and enhance protections for consumers,” said Tayt Winnitoy, acting president and CEO, Consumer Protection BC. “Both businesses and consumers now have the information they need to understand how these changes will affect them.”

Strengthening contract transparency and fairness

The new amendments introduce rules to prevent people from being charged for unwanted renewals and protect against one-sided terms that allow businesses to unilaterally change the terms of a contract. The changes apply to any business that offers subscription services, including internet, phone, streaming, food delivery and other renewable services.

Changes include:

• introducing rules against automatic renewal of subscription contracts without advance notice to customers, so people can decide if they want to renew a subscription and are not charged unexpectedly
• introducing a requirement for businesses to allow cancellation of a subscription renewal at any time, before or after the renewal date, without charge or other penalty
• ban high-pressure door-to-door or direct sales for certain high-cost household products and services, such as air conditioners and furnaces
• ban offering or arranging credit as part of a direct sale, reducing the risk of predatory loan-term tactics often used in door-to-door sales

“I had to sign up for a subscription to purchase gum from an online business, which was complicated to cancel, and I was charged for another order before my first package even arrived,” said Hanna Wahlberg, a consumer from Vancouver. “I’m still waiting for a refund months later, even though the company claims to provide moneyback guarantee with full refund within 30 days. I’m glad these new rules are being introduced because they will help people avoid surprise renewals and have more control over what they are buying.”

The new rules will protect vulnerable consumers, including seniors, newcomers and people with lower incomes or disabilities, and help people save money.

“Better Business Bureau regularly hears from consumers who did not realize they had signed up for a subscription, were surprised by an automatic renewal or struggled to understand how to cancel a service,” said Simone Lis, president and CEO, Better Business Bureau, B.C. and Yukon. “Clearer contracts and stronger rules around renewals and cancellations can help prevent that confusion before it becomes a complaint. These protections give consumers greater confidence, while helping responsible businesses strengthen customer relationships, uphold transparent business practices and compete on a more level playing field.”

Protecting against fraud

The Province has also introduced stronger tools to protect against credit-related fraud as part of consumer protection amendments through Bill 28, which is set to come into effect in August 2027.

Once in effect, people will be able to access their credit report and credit score monthly for free and set up security alerts and credit freezes free of charge. The change will ensure people have more control of their critical financial information.

New rules for credit monitoring and credit repair businesses will ensure their services are delivered accurately and transparently so people can better understand these services and make informed decisions.

“TransUnion Canada welcomes British Columbia’s introduction of credit freeze as an important step in helping consumers better protect themselves against identity and credit fraud,” said Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, regional president, TransUnion Canada. “Building on consultations that began in 2022 and our experience supporting similar measures in other Canadian jurisdictions, we are pleased to work with government and industry partners to help support a smooth and effective implementation that benefits both consumers and businesses.” 

The amendments will introduce new requirements for credit reporting agencies and lenders to protect people against identity and credit fraud by making it harder for fraudsters to open credit card accounts or take loans.

The changes reinforce government’s commitment to strengthening consumer rights and protecting people from harmful business practices and fraud, ensuring consumers have greater control over their finances.

Quick Facts:

• Consumer protection amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act through Bill 4 received royal assent on March 31, 2025.
• Government introduced stronger tools to protect against credit-related fraud through Bill 28 as part of Phase 2 of consumer protection amendments in October 2025.
• Consumer Protection BC independently regulates specific consumer transactions on behalf of government and assesses and investigates consumer claims.

Learn More:

• For more information about consumer protections in British Columbia, visit: https://consumerprotectionbc.ca
• To read the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, visit: https://bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/04002_00
• For information about how to connect to services and help save money, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home/benefits

A backgrounder follows.