8.84°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

solutions-to-addictions-discussed-at-welfare-for-all-workshop-in-surrey
BCDec 08, 2025

Solutions to addictions discussed at Welfare of all workshop in Surrey

A welfare workshop was organized by the Vaapsi Seva Society this weekend at the Khalsa School, located near 120th Street and Old Yale Road in Surrey. The aim of this workshop was to educate people about addiction and mental health. The event continued from 1 pm to around 5 pm. Audience listens to the speaker at a welfare forum organized by Vaapsi Seva SocietyDuring this, various speakers shared their views and explained to the nearly 300 people who attended the workshop, based on their knowledge and experiences, the harms of substance use and addictions and its impact on the community. Audien
carney-says-details-of-federal-return-to-office-plan-expected-within-weeks
CanadaDec 08, 2025

Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will soon clarify how often public servants will be required to work from their offices, signalling that updated expectations should become clearer in the coming weeks. His comments came during a discussion with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the mayor’s monthly breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal. Carney said in-person attendance requirements will not be uniform across the federal workforce and will instead reflect employees’ roles, responsibilities and seniority. He noted that the gover
burnaby-rcmp-seizes-high-value-stolen-goods-after-search-at-vancouver-home
BCDec 08, 2025

Burnaby RCMP seizes high value stolen goods after search at Vancouver home

Burnaby RCMP says a coordinated investigation into organized retail theft has led to the recovery of about $40,000 in stolen merchandise following a search at a Vancouver residence earlier this week. The operation was launched after the detachment’s Community Response Team received information that high end clothing was being resold through an online marketplace. Officers from the Community Response Team and the Bike Section executed the warrant on November 19, locating more than 230 items linked to stores in Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam and West Vancouver. Police also seized more than $2,0
air-transat-pilots-issue-strike-notice-as-contract-talks-stall-flights-set-to-wind-down-early-next-week
CanadaDec 08, 2025

Air Transat pilots issue strike notice as contract talks stall, flights set to wind down early next week

Air Transat travellers are being told to prepare for significant disruption after the union representing the airline’s 750 pilots served a 72-hour strike notice. The Air Line Pilots Association says its members will walk off the job Wednesday morning unless contract talks with Transat A.T. Inc. show meaningful progress. The notice follows nearly a year of negotiations and a 21-day cooling-off period that ends December 10, the first day pilots can legally strike or the company can issue a lockout. Transat says it is continuing round-the-clock discussions but warned that flight operations will
AlbertaDec 08, 2025

Heavy snowfall and high winds expected across northern and southern Alberta through Tuesday

Northern and southeastern Alberta are bracing for significant winter weather as a fast-moving system pushes across the province. Environment Canada says communities throughout the Peace Region, including Grande Prairie and areas near Athabasca, could receive 15 to 30 centimetres of snow by late Monday, with some brief pauses possible before the system intensifies again. South of Edmonton, a winter storm watch has been issued for regions around Red Deer and Medicine Hat. Forecasters warn the incoming front may deliver heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow, creating unpredictable conditio

Related News