7.39°C Vancouver

Nov 5, 2021 12:30 AM - The Canadian Press

B.C. to introduce 'cooling off' period legislation for real estate

Share On
b-c-to-introduce-cooling-off-period-legislation-for-real-estate
B.C. Finance Minister Selina Robinson is photographed following her budget speech in the legislative assembly at the provincial legislature in Victoria, B.C., on April 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

British Columbia's government says it will introduce legislation in the spring aimed at giving homebuyers a chance to change their mind on the purchase of a home.

The so-called cooling-off period would allow purchasers to back out with no or diminished legal consequences.

The B.C. Financial Services Authority also will be consulting with those in the real estate industry and other experts on more ways to protect consumers, including a review of the blind bidding system, which can significantly raise the price of purchase.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the real estate market, first by dipping during the initial weeks of the pandemic then surging.

She says the consumer protection consultation ``needs to be done right.''

Blair Morrison, CEO of the financial services authority, says ensuring fair markets and promoting public confidence in B.C.'s real estate sector is a key priority.

Latest news

BCOct 29, 2026

Former B.C. NDP Ministers Admit Early Election Call Was a Major Mistake

Former B.C. NDP ministers Nikki Sharma and Ravi Parmar have expressed disappointment over the party’s election defeat, acknowledging that calling an early election was a major mistake. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party caucus meeting in Victoria, former Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the party and former Premier David Eby had clearly made the wrong decision by calling an early election. Former Attorney General Nikki Sharma said Wednesday’s virtual meeting of the outgoing caucus was highly emotional. She said Eby apologized for the decision to call the election and took f
two-arrested-in-calgary-kidnapping-and-hostage-taking-case-third-suspect-wanted
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Two Arrested in Calgary Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking Case, Third Suspect Wanted

Calgary police have arrested two men in connection with the kidnapping and hostage-taking of a woman, while a third suspect remains at large. Police received information about the incident on October 12. The following day, the tactical unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of 37 Street Southeast, where officers safely rescued the victim and arrested two suspects. Calgary residents Joseph Richard Frederick Sarrazin and Jordan Barry Taylor have been charged with forcible confinement and several other criminal offences. Police believe the kidnapping was a targeted incide
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Alberta Referendum Results Officially Released, 74.95% Vote to Remain in Canada

Elections Alberta released the official results Thursday of the October 19 referendum on immigration, constitutional reforms and Alberta’s separation from Canada. According to the results, 70.4 per cent of Alberta voters participated in the questions on requiring proof of citizenship to vote and whether the province should separate from Canada. These two questions recorded the highest voter participation. Official results showed that 74.95 per cent of Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. On the remaining nine questions, a majority of voters supported several immigration-rel
50-year-old-woman-killed-in-cement-truck-collision-near-vancouver-airport
BCOct 29, 2026

50-Year-Old Woman Killed in Cement Truck Collision Near Vancouver Airport

A 50-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a cement truck near Vancouver International Airport in Richmond on Wednesday. According to the RCMP, the incident occurred at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of Russ Baker Way and Miller Road. Emergency crews closed the roadway completely for several hours while investigating the collision. Sergeant Pak Yim expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. The RCMP is asking drivers who travelled through the a
melanie-joly-demands-stelco-reinstate-laid-off-workers-before-talks
CanadaOct 29, 2026

Melanie Joly Demands Stelco Reinstate Laid-Off Workers Before Talks

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has sent a strongly worded letter to Stelco President Paul Simon, demanding the immediate reinstatement of laid-off workers at the Ontario-based steelmaker. Joly said she is willing to meet with Stelco representatives and Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of its U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs. However, she made it clear that reinstating the laid-off workers would be a precondition for any discussions. Criticizing Goncalves, Joly said the company cannot use U.S. tariffs, which are hurting businesses on both sides of the border, as an excuse for the layoff

Related News