British Columbia Consumer Rights
Consumer rights in British Columbia help protect individuals from unfair business practices, misleading advertising, defective products, and issues involving services or digital purchases. This page provides British Columbia-specific information, official resources, and guidance on understanding and enforcing your consumer rights.
At A Glance
Filing Methods
Online, Email, Mail
Deadlines
As soon as possible after the issue occurs
Official Consumer Complaints Office
Update Status
July 14, 2026
In This Guide
Below are official and trusted sources for consumer complaints, marketplace disputes, privacy concerns, digital services, and regulatory oversight in British Columbia.
These organizations can help with issues involving refunds, defective products, online purchases, subscription services, misleading advertising, privacy concerns, unfair business practices, and disputes with businesses operating in British Columbia.
Primary consumer protection authority for British Columbia. Handles complaints involving unfair business practices, consumer transactions, debt collection concerns, prepaid services, travel services, and certain marketplace disputes.
Handles deceptive marketing practices, false advertising, anti-competitive conduct, price-fixing concerns, and marketplace issues affecting consumers across Canada.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC BC)
Handles privacy complaints involving the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and protection of personal information by organizations and public bodies operating in British Columbia.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
Oversees privacy complaints involving federally regulated organizations and major digital platforms such as Meta, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Google, and other digital services operating across Canada.
British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal
Handles discrimination complaints involving goods, services, accommodation, employment, and protected characteristics, including barriers to accessing digital services.
Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS)
Helps resolve complaints involving internet, wireless, television, and telephone service providers, including billing disputes, service disruptions, and account access issues.
Office of the Ombudsperson of British Columbia
Handles complaints involving provincial government ministries, public agencies, local governments, health authorities, schools, and other public bodies where administrative fairness or government processes are involved.
Not every consumer issue is handled by the same organization. The appropriate agency depends on the nature of your complaint. Use the guide below to help determine where to start.
Refunds, subscriptions, or business disputes
If a business refuses a refund, fails to honour a contract, or engages in unfair business practices, contact Consumer Protection BC.False advertising or deceptive business practices
If a company makes misleading claims, uses deceptive marketing, or engages in anti-competitive conduct, contact the Competition Bureau Canada.Privacy violations or misuse of personal information
If your personal information has been improperly collected, shared, retained, or used, contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC BC) or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC).Telecom, internet, or mobile service complaints
If your complaint involves internet service, mobile phones, billing disputes, or service interruptions, contact the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS).Discrimination involving goods or services
If you believe you were treated unfairly based on a protected characteristic while accessing a product or service, contact the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.Complaints involving provincial government services
If your complaint involves a provincial government ministry, agency, local government, or public body, contact the Office of the Ombudsperson of British Columbia.
Before filing a consumer complaint in British Columbia, it is generally recommended that you first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the business. Many disputes involving products, services, subscriptions, and digital purchases can often be resolved without formal intervention.
Gather any documents that may support your complaint, including receipts, contracts, invoices, emails, screenshots, and records of communication. Reviewing applicable refund, cancellation, warranty, or service policies may also help clarify your rights and available options.
Depending on the nature of your concern, your complaint may fall under the jurisdiction of Consumer Protection BC, the Competition Bureau Canada, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, or another regulatory body.
Identifying the appropriate organization before filing can help ensure your complaint is handled efficiently.
If the issue remains unresolved, you may wish to pursue a complaint through the appropriate consumer protection, privacy, telecommunications, human rights, or government oversight process.
If you are unable to resolve your issue directly with the business, you may wish to file a complaint with the appropriate agency. The agency responsible for reviewing your complaint will depend on the nature of the issue.
Before filing, gather any supporting documents, including receipts, invoices, contracts, emails, screenshots, and records of communication. Providing complete and accurate information can help support your complaint.
Most complaints can be submitted online, although some organizations may also accept complaints by email, mail, telephone, or downloadable forms. Depending on the circumstances, your complaint may be directed to Consumer Protection BC, the Competition Bureau Canada, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, or another regulator.
After your complaint is submitted, the agency may review your concerns, request additional information, or determine whether the matter falls within its authority.
After your complaint is submitted, the appropriate agency will review the information provided and determine whether the matter falls within its jurisdiction. Depending on the circumstances, you may be contacted for additional information, supporting documents, or clarification regarding your concerns.
Some complaints may be resolved through education, negotiation, mediation, or voluntary compliance, while others may require a more formal review or investigation. Agencies such as Consumer Protection BC, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, or the Competition Bureau Canada may assess the complaint and determine what options are available.
Not all complaints result in enforcement action. In some situations, you may be referred to another agency, provided with information about alternative dispute resolution, or advised of additional steps that may be available.
Response times and outcomes vary depending on the nature of the complaint and the agency involved.
Not every consumer issue can be resolved through a regulator or government agency. Depending on the circumstances, additional assistance may be available through British Columbia's court system, legal services, dispute resolution programs, and consumer advocacy organizations.
British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) may help resolve many consumer disputes online without requiring a traditional court proceeding.
British Columbia Small Claims Court may be appropriate for disputes involving larger financial losses or unresolved consumer claims.
Access Pro Bono and Community Legal Assistance Services may provide legal information and assistance for eligible individuals.
Better Business Bureau Mainland BC may assist with certain business complaints and voluntary dispute resolution.
If regulatory options have been exhausted, you may wish to seek independent legal advice regarding additional remedies available under British Columbia law.