Earlier this week, the BC provincial government announced that the new Franchises Act and accompanying regulations will come into force on February 1, 2017.
Passed by the BC legislature last year, the new Act will create significant change to franchising in BC, affecting both franchisors and franchisees.
Under the new regime, franchisors will be required to provide to prospective franchisees a comprehensive disclosure document describing specific disclosure items and all material facts relating to the franchise opportunity, similar to what franchisors must do in other Canadian provinces that have franchise-specific legislation. Meanwhile, franchisees will have the right to rescind franchise agreements for non-disclosure.
In response to this new legislation, CLEBC is offering a BC’s New Franchises Act course on December 5, 2016. Join us to learn about the structure and impact of the new legislation from leading franchise lawyers who were involved in drafting the Act’s regulations.
For more information on the new Franchises Act, check out the links below:
- Province of BC press release: New rules give franchises the certainty they need to succeed in B.C.
- Globe and Mail article by Tony Wilson of Boughton Law Corporation (chair of BC’s New Franchises Act course): New B.C franchise rules offer more protection to franchisees
- CLEBC’s upcoming course: BC’s New Franchises Act