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Changes to Consumer Protection Law in BC

Thursday, August 13, 2026 Posted by Rachel Carlson

On August 1, 2026, amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act came into effect. These amendments are meant to provide greater protection for consumers in BC against: 

  • unclear contract terms 

  • unexpected automatic subscription renewals of services like streaming subscriptions 

  • predatory sales practices on everyday items and services 

These changes to the law apply to any business that offers subscription services, including internet and phone services, streaming, and food delivery.  

These amendments are bringing in important changes to the law, including:  

  • Introducing rules against automatic renewal of subscription contracts without advance notice to customers. 

  • Requiring businesses to allow cancellation of a subscription renewal at any time, before or after the renewal date, without charges or penalties.  

  • Banning high-pressure door-to-door or direct sales for some high-cost household products and services, like air conditioners and furnaces.  

  • Banning offering credit as part of a direct sale, with the aim of reducing predatory loan-term tactics.  

You can read more about these changes on the BC Government’s news release: Strengthening consumer protection in BC.  

If your patrons are looking for information on consumer protection law in BC, a great place to direct them to is Consumer Protection BC, the regulator of a variety of sectors and specific types of consumer transactions in BC. Their consumer help and consumer tip pages can help you find information on all types of marketplace and consumer law issues.  

Some pages that can help your patrons learn more about these new changes to the law:  

People can also make complaints to Consumer Protection BC regarding deceptive and unconscionable acts performed by businesses. These may include false claims, hidden information, high-pressure sales, exploiting someone’s vulnerabilities, and more. See their website for more information on what issues they can and cannot help with and to make a complaint through their website: Have a complaint?