Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Consumed by Debt? Information for Consumers on the Insolvency Process

Government of Canada
This brochure outlines a consumer’s insolvency options when they are facing challenging financial times, and explains that Licensed Insolvency Trustees (LITs) are the only qualified professionals authorized to administer insolvency proceedings.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, illustrated with photos. Two are young men smiling, the other is a woman in a wheelchair with a woman jogging.

Disability Assistance and Trusts

Government of British Columbia
Explains what a trust is; how having a trust affects your disability assistance; what the different kinds of trusts are; who can set up a trust for you; and how you can use the money in your trust without affecting your disability assistance.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features interlocking purple and green curved lines to the left of the text "Credit Counselling Society" in purple.

What Is the Best Way to Handle Credit Card Debt and Debt Repayment?

Credit Counselling Society
Tips for how to manage your credit card use so that you don’t fall behind on payments.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a shield coloured yellow, green, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Consumer Protection BC

Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC regulates a variety of industries and specific consumer transactions in the province. They license and inspect regulated businesses, respond to consumer inquiries, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and classify general-release motion pictures.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title and Government of Canada logo. The cover is black, and title is red.

The Little Black Book of Scams

Competition Bureau Canada
This easy-to-read guide describes several scams and how to protect yourself from them. In addition to explaining some common myths and golden rules to help you beat the scammers, it also details what to do if you get scammed and how to get help and report a scam.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a shield coloured yellow, green, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Debt Collection

Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC regulates the debt collection and repayment industry. The website offers information on your rights and obligations around debt-collection practices. Includes links on how to dispute a debt, request communication in writing only, or notify a collection agency that you are not the debtor.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a blue icon resembling a person with signal waves emanating from the head, symbolizing communication. Beside the icon, the text "CCTS Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services" with the tagline "Let's talk solutions" underneath.

FAQ

Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services (CCTS)
The CCTS helps resolve customer complaints about telecommunications and TV services. This page of frequently asked questions tells you when and how you can submit a complaint about your service provider to the CCTS. The website has an online complaint form.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Taxes When You Retire or Turn 65 Years Old

Canada Revenue Agency
Provides tax information that may affect you when you retire, including the types of income you might receive, as well as deductions and credits you can claim.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a shield coloured yellow, green, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Problem with an Online Purchase?

Consumer Protection BC
When you make a purchase online, or by phone, you may have entered into what is called a “distance sales contract.” There are some rules around these types of contracts and there are specific instances that give you the right to cancel.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a shield coloured yellow, green, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Payday Loans

Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC licenses and regulates the payday lending sector in BC. The website tells you your rights and obligations involving payday loans, and includes information on what you can do if you have a problem or complaint about a payday lender.
Last reviewed March 2024