Your rights for fitness contracts in BC
We are responsible for enforcing the rules for fitness contracts in BC. You may be wondering “what is a fitness contract?”.
Contracts for activities that are ongoing and physical in nature entitle you to certain cancellation and refund rights in BC. The rules apply to memberships, punch passes, and most physical activities that last more than a day.
Your cancellation rights for fitness contracts
By law, you have cancellation rights with these contracts if:
- It’s been 10 days or less since you got a copy of your contract
- You are mentally or physically unable to participate
- You moved more than 30 km away
- The business changes the services offered
- Certain information is missing in the contract
How to cancel and request a refund
To cancel your contract properly using consumer protection laws, you must follow certain steps. Follow our instructions and use our self-help tools to make sure your cancellation is done correctly.
If it’s within the first 10 days
Having second thoughts? Decided to focus all your energy on pickleball? By law, you have 10 days from the day you receive a copy of your contract to cancel for any reason.
Find out how to cancel in the first 10 days
If you physically or mentally can’t participate anymore
Are you dealing with an injury or mental health concerns? You can cancel your contract if you can’t participate in the activity you signed up for. The law requires a note from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.
Find out how to cancel if you physically or mentally can’t participate
If you move more than 30km away
You can cancel if you moved farther than an additional 30km away from the facility. For example, going from 10km away from the facility at your old address to 41km away at your new address.
Find out how to cancel if you moved more than 30km away
If the business changed their services
You can cancel if the business has made an impactful change to the services that were originally offered. For example, the business has closed or moved, or an amenity like a pool is no longer available.
Find out how to cancel because of changes to the business
You can also cancel if certain information is missing in the contract. Learn more about the disclosure requirements for fitness contracts.
Refunds
If your situation entitles you to a refund under BC law, the business should use this formula to determine your refund amount for the unused portion.
If you are cancelling because your situation has changed (you moved or physically/mentally can’t participate), the business can keep up to 30% of the amount owed back to you to cover their costs.
Having trouble cancelling or getting a refund?
Always start by giving the business a chance to resolve the issue. Not all businesses who offer fitness contracts are aware of the rules in BC and most are eager to comply with the law and fix the problem once they become aware of it.
If you are still having trouble, please submit a complaint to us directly so we can assess your situation and determine next steps.
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