Consumer protection

When you are buying goods and services, sometimes you can have problems. These resources may help you deal with concerns about product safety, returns and exchanges, unfair business practices, or other consumer complaints.

The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's staff as a good place to start.

You may also find helpful resources listed under these legal topics: Consumer protection and fraud, and  Credit and debt


CPLEA Suggested Resources

Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.

Being a Guarantor is a big responsibility that can have serious consequences. This booklet will help you understand all that is involved in being a Guarantor.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts

These FAQs are provided by the Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. They provide answers to questions about consumer law in Alberta including the Fair Trading Act, collections and debt repayment, cost of credit disclosure, and credit and personal reports. See also FAQs on Contracts and Consumer Information

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

Alberta Resources

The Farmers Advocate Office works to ensure rural Albertans have consumer protection, rural opportunities and fair process. We administer the Farm Implement Act that provides consumer protection through warranty, parts availability and licensing provisions, including inspection to assist in FIB proceedings. Rural opportunity is realized through assisting landowners with managing their land asset, mitigating business risk and maximizing future economic opportunity as it relates to interaction with the energy industry. Fair process is facilitated through the development and implementation of peer oriented appeal processes.

Related legal topic(s): Advocacy, Farm law

The Consumer Bill of Rights outlines the protections that consumers have when buying goods or signing contracts.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts

The Alberta Securities Commission is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province’s securities laws. This page provides information on how to file a complaint. ASC use complaints filed by the public as well as other means to identify potential breaches of securities laws, and take enforcement action including investigating and prosecuting either administratively or quasi-criminally, as appropriate, to protect investors and the integrity of Alberta’s capital market.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

The General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that has been in operation since 2002 providing dispute resolution services for conflicts between complainants and their insurers in the areas of home, auto and business insurance. GIO’s neutral and professional mediators and experienced Information Officers help complainants and insurance companies work toward a solution that is in the best interests of both parties in a fair, independent and impartial environment. (PDF - 2 pages)

Related legal topic(s): Advocacy, Business, Consumer protection and fraud, Mediation and alternative dispute resolution

If you buy or sell goods through a public auction in Alberta, it is important to know that the business holding the auction must be licensed by the province and post security. The Fair Trading Act, the Public Auctions Regulation and Section 57 of the Sale of Goods Act regulate public auction businesses in Alberta. This tipsheet outlines the rules and regulations that must be followed by Alberta businesses that sell goods by public auction.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

Summary, collision worksheet form, tips to remember and steps to follow after an automobile collision.

Related legal topic(s): Driving

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central and Northern Alberta was founded in 1957 and is a non-profit membership association of business and professional firms. They are a public service agency devoted to the vitality of the free enterprise system and the concerns of the consuming public. They are not a government agency.
Related legal topic(s): Business, Consumer protection and fraud

An educated marketplace is a happy, well-functioning marketplace. With this in mind, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta offers information and dispute resolution services to consumer and business alike. This bureau has information files on more than 15,000 companies. They are only an e-mail or phone call away.
Related legal topic(s): Business, Consumer protection and fraud

The Time Share and Points-Based Contracts and Business Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) sets out the rules for businesses selling time share.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts

The Alberta Securities Commission is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province’s securities laws. This page provides a link to "Spot the red flags" informaton on how to recognize and avoid investment scams.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Credit and debt

This Alberta government department investigates consumer complaints, enforces consumer protection legislation, licenses and registers regulated businesses and charitable organizations and informs consumers and businesses of their rights and responsibilities.
Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

In Alberta, most companies that sell products door-to-door must be licensed under the Consumer Protection Act and the Direct Selling Business Licensing Regulation. Door-to-door sales people sell everything from encyclopedias and magazines to home improvements. If a contract is signed in person,negotiated or concluded away from the seller’s usual place of business, it is considered a direct sale. Note: Effective January 1, 2017, the Government of Alberta banned door-to-door sales of furnaces and related products and services including water heaters, air conditioners, windows, energy contracts and energy audits. See: https://www.servicealberta.ca/pdf/tipsheets/Door_to_Door_Energy_related_Sales.pdf for more information.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts

The Consumer Investigations Unit (CIU) of Service Alberta is responsible for Alberta’s consumer protection and tenancy laws. This infosheet explains how to file a consumer complaint with Service Alberta and when an investigation maybe opened, as well as other options available to consumers.
Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts

Gift cards purchased in Alberta are not subject to expiry dates and fees that lower their value over time. This tipsheet provides information on the Alberta Gift Card Regulation, which is part of the Consumer Protection Act,. It also includes information on other rules that help to improve consumer protections, use of the cards and disclosure of terms and conditions.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

When someone uses personal information such as your name, Social Insurance number (SIN), credit card number or other identifying information without your knowledge or permission, it is identity theft and it is a crime. This tipsheet provides information on: how businesses and community groups can raise awarenes of identity theft, how to protect your identity when you are away from home, and how to report ID theft.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Internet safety, Privacy

This tipsheet provindes information to help Albertans protect themselves from being an unwilling participant in mortgage fraud. If you are going to invest in real estate, make sure you are using a licensed mortgage broker is is registered under the Real Estate Act in Alberta.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Contracts, Real estate and home ownership

This colourful information sheet provides legal information about payday loans and debt problems for all ages and can be folded to fit comfortably in a wallet. (Dimensions 9cm x 43cm)

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

In Alberta, the Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Act (MHSTA) applies to people who own a mobile home and rent the mobile home site from a landlord. This law sets out the rights and responsibilities that apply to these tenancies, This publication provides general information about the MHSTA and the two supporting regulations.

Related legal topic(s):

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