Clark Wilson Business Litigation associate Cameron Fox was interviewed by Law360 Canada for the article, “B.C. consumer protection bill will have an effect on contract law practice, lawyers say”.

The piece discusses the introduction of Bill 4, the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Amendment Act, a proposed piece of legislation in British Columbia aimed at strengthening consumer protection laws. It introduces significant changes to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, including requiring businesses to provide key contract terms upfront, including clearer renewal, cancellation, return, and refund policies, especially for online orders; imposing notification requirements for automatic subscription renewals and restricting significant contract changes without customer consent; banning contract terms that limit class-action participation, restrict consumer reviews, or mandate private arbitration; prohibiting direct sales of high-cost household items (e.g., air conditioners, furnaces) and banning offering credit as part of a direct sale; and allowing consumers to seek damages through the Civil Resolution Tribunal instead of going to court. The bill has sparked debate, raising concerns about its broad impact on businesses and contract law.

This article is a must-read for business leaders, legal professionals, and anyone involved in consumer contracts, subscriptions, or direct sales in British Columbia.

Read the “B.C. consumer protection bill will have an effect on contract law practice, lawyers say” in full HERE.