Bill 34, the Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, proposes amendments to the Consumer Protection Act to strengthen protections for Albertans dealing with defective vehicles, repairing equipment and other products, protecting their credit and buying event resale tickets. Additional amendments would protect landowners by re-establishing the Surface Rights Board. Together, these changes would strengthen consumer protections and build greater trust and confidence in a fair and transparent marketplace.
“Whether you're buying a vehicle, fixing something you own, protecting your credit or buying tickets to your favourite events, you deserve to know you're protected if something goes wrong. We're putting common sense back into the rules and giving Albertans more control over their hard-earned money and the things they own.”
Defective vehicle repair lemon laws
Under the proposed amendments, new lemon laws would give Albertans a path to pursue refunds, replacements or other remedies through the courts for vehicles with serious defects that cannot be fixed.
Event ticket resale transparency
For Albertans buying resale tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live events, new rules would require clear disclosure of prices and fees so consumers know what they're paying. The new rules would build on the existing strong protections for Albertans such as banning bots from buying tickets. If passed, the legislation would also enable the province to establish further protections in regulation such as a potential cap on resale markups, following consultation.
Protecting Albertans from credit fraud
Proposed changes would allow Albertans to freeze access to their credit reports, helping prevent fraudsters from opening new credit accounts using their personal information.
Removing barriers to repairs
Proposed right-to-repair protections would help farmers, vehicle owners and consumers get the parts, tools and repair information they need to fix the products and equipment they own. This could include agricultural equipment, vehicles, electronics and household appliances. Better access to repair information and resources would give owners more options for getting repairs completed, reduce reliance on manufacturers, and help avoid costly delays. The specific products and requirements would be established through regulations.
“During seeding and harvest, every hour counts. Timely repairs help protect farmers’ investments and crops. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward giving farmers greater control over equipment repairs.”
Protecting landowners
Proposed amendments to multiple pieces of legislation would strengthen property rights by re-establishing the Surface Rights Board, following its consolidation into the Land and Property Rights Tribunal in 2021. The changes would restore a dedicated process for landowners to resolve surface rights disputes affecting their property. The board would prioritize resolving complex surface rights matters, including disputes over compensation and access to land, in a timely manner.
“Collaboration between landowners, energy companies and the Alberta government is vital to the success of our province's agricultural and energy sectors. We welcome the re-establishment of the Surface Rights Board, which will provide a much-needed, dedicated forum to effectively address surface rights issues.”
Creating opportunities for local businesses
Proposed amendments to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act would pave the way for a pilot program allowing select liquor stores to sell lottery tickets, giving participating retailers the same opportunity already available to gas stations, grocery stores and convenience stores. The pilot would provide participating liquor stores with new opportunities to generate revenue while giving Albertans more choice and convenience.
“The Alberta Liquor Store Association is pleased to support the pilot project introducing lottery ticket sales in liquor stores. This initiative provides an opportunity for retailers to enhance customer convenience, diversify their offerings and generate additional revenue. We look forward to seeing the results of the pilot project.”
Quick facts
- The lemon law standards will look at vehicles within the first three years of purchase or up to 60,000 kilometres when significant repair problems persist, such as three unsuccessful attempts to fix the same defect, or where there have been 12 unsuccessful attempts to repair multiple defects.
Related information
- Strengthening consumer protection engagement
- Latest Land and Property Rights Tribunal performance report
- Protecting Consumers and Property Rights