Alberta Proposes Significant Amendments To Consumer Protection Legislation

On November 29, 2017, the Government of Alberta introduced Bill 31: A Better Deal for Consumers and Businesses Act (the "Bill") setting out proposed changes to the Fair Trading Act (the "Act"), including changing the name of the Act to the Consumer Protection Act, consistent with the name used for such legislation in other provinces in Canada.

The Bill proposes significant changes to the Act, including the following:

• Consumer Bill of Rights – A Consumer Bill of Rights is to be established to highlight the rights and protections provided to consumers under the Act. While it will not have separate legal force, it could be persuasive when interpreting provisions of the Act.
• Restrictions on Unilateral Amendments – A supplier's right to make unilateral changes to a "substantive term" of a transaction with a consumer for the "continuing or periodic supply of goods or services" will be restricted, and a consumer will be able to cancel such a transaction once notice