What is the Consumer Protection Act?

Complaints from Canadian consumers are regulated by different governmental and non-governmental organizations. In Alberta, consumer complaints are governed by the Consumer Protection Act.

What is the Consumer Protection Act?

The Consumer Protection Act is a law that governs consumer transactions in Alberta. This law sets forth rules and regulations regarding what type of conduct businesses are allowed to engage in during their interactions with consumers, with the goal of protecting consumers from unfair business practices.

Individuals and businesses covered by the Consumer Protection Act include anyone who: manufactures or produces goods; provides goods or services to consumers; promotes goods or services; or who receives money or other benefits from the provision of goods or services to consumers.

Unfortunately, there are businesses that seek to take advantage of consumers by engaging in unfair business practices. They may use deceptive advertising to promote a product that doesn’t work as promised, or they may charge hidden fees that weren’t disclosed at the time of sale. In some cases, a service provider may charge you for services that you did not intend to purchase. This transaction may be a violation of the Consumer Protection Act Alberta.

In December 2017, the Government of Alberta passed a bill titled “A Better Deal for Consumers and Businesses Act” which added additional protections for consumers and renamed the Consumer Protection Act (which was previously called the Fair Trading Act).

If you have ever purchased goods or services in Alberta, your transaction was covered by the Consumer Protection Act. If the transaction involved deceptive advertising, undisclosed fees, undue influence or other unfair business practices, you may have a legal claim.

Consumer Protection Act Regulations

Consumer Protection Act regulations provide a method by which consumers can challenge transactions that violate the law and be eligible for a remedy such as payment of damages or cancellation of a transaction.

Some of the biggest industries the Consumer Protection Act Canada focuses on include:

• Debt collection and repayment
• Credit disclosure
• Credit reports
• Energy marketing
• Internet sales
• Payday Loans
• Timeshare contracts
• Home inspections
• Ticket sales
• Prepaid contracting businesses
• Travel clubs
• Automotive Sales
• Veterinary medicine
• Public auctions
• General licensing

All of these industries are subject to rules and regulations regarding the manner in which they provide goods and services.

The Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair business practices such as exerting undue influence on consumers, being deceptive or misleading about the terms of a transaction, unfair pricing, failing to disclose fees, or taking advantage of consumers who misunderstand the terms of a transaction.

Businesses are bound by the Consumer Protection Act regulations and cannot cause consumers to waive their rights under the law. They also cannot take legal action against consumers who make a complaint against them or leave a negative review.

Consumer Protection Act cancellation of contract regulations protect consumers in the event a company cancels a contract. In this case, the affected consumer may be entitled to a refund or other compensation based on the situation. 

If a business violates the Consumer Protection Act, or if you have concerns that a company has engaged in unfair business practices, you can file a complaint.

How to File a Consumer Protection Act Complaint

If you have experienced a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, you can contact Service Alberta to inform the agency of the issue. Service Alberta will investigate unfair business practices that take place in Alberta or involve a consumer or supplier based in Alberta.

You may also consider seeking legal assistance with your issue if you’ve suffered financial harm or other damages from a transaction. If your legal issue affects a large number of consumers, you may be eligible to file a class action lawsuit to hold the company accountable and seek compensation for all of those affected. Click here to submit your information and class action lawyers will review your case. If you have a case, you will be contacted for a free legal consultation.

Consumer complaints are regulated by different levels of government in Canada. You can find consumer protection legislation for your territory or province, including consumer protection Ontario, by visiting the websites of your office responsible for consumer affairs. 

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