{September 30, 2005} VICTORIA – The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority is announcing a $200 fee for reconsiderations of decisions made by the director. The fee will be effective January 1, 2006. 

The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority is responsible for the oversight of business practices and consumer protection in British Columbia, including enforcement under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, and regulations. The Authority regulates the following industries: debt collection, cremation, interment and funeral services, travel and telemarketers. In addition, the Authority offers information and complaint resolution services through a toll free in BC consumer call centre.

The Authority operates on a cost recovery model and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority Act allows the authority to fund its operating costs from fees or charges for its performance of any duty.

The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act provides that the director of the BPCPA may reconsider decisions made under the act and may confirm, vary or cancel them. A person may request a reconsideration of determinations, which include any decision, order or ruling in respect to a compensation fund, a decision under section 146 [actions by director respecting licence], a compliance order, a direct sales prohibition order, or a notice imposing an administrative penalty. The request must be in writing and identify the error the person believes was made or other grounds. The decision made with respect to the reconsideration is final and may not be reconsidered.

The fee will be refunded where the reconsideration results in a decision favourable to the complainant.

Consultation on the proposed reconsideration fee has been undertaken with the four BPCPA advisory groups. These groups are comprised of key industry and consumer representatives. The groups reviewed the proposed reconsideration fee and provided comments to the Authority.

For more information about reconsiderations, please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Reconsiderations .