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→C. Governing Legislation, Regulations, and Resources
An aggrieved party may have remedies under statututory law, the common law, or both. B.C. statutes provide better protection to consumers than is afforded by the common law. Since legislation takes precedence over the common law, it is crucial that students check all relevant statutes when faced with the legal matters of consumers. For example, some contracts that are enforceable at common law are rendered unenforceable by relevant statutes.
== C. Governing Legislation, Regulations, and Resources ==
=== 1. Legislation and Regulations ===
The statutes to consult include the following:
''Motor Dealer Act'', RSBC 1996, c 316 [''MDA''].
*The ''MDA'' contains important disclosure sets out the requirements for motor dealers selling vehicles to retail consumers. It requires disclosure of the prior history of a car (for example, its use as a taxi) and any damage suffered over $2,000, and other important information. The administration of this Act became self-regulated as of April 1, 2004. Clients with consumer complaints regarding car dealers should now be directed to the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia, which has the authority to investigate consumer complaints and provide dispute resolution. Note that some amendments to the MDA regarding the Customer Compensation Fund recently came into force on 2016-05-19.
''Personal Property Security Act'', RSBC 1996, c 359 [''PPSA''].
=== 2. Resources ===
A list of resources which clients might find useful:
'''Consumer Protection BC (previously the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority)'''
*Consumer Protection BC operates at arm’s length from government and has responsibility for a range of licensing, inspection, investigation, and enforcement activities. If consumer protection legislation appears to have been violated, the aggrieved party can phone Consumer Protection BC to report the infraction. This is the office to contact for students (on behalf of clients) seeking action by the Director under the statutory causes of action found in consumer protection legislation. This office also has a mandate to receive and act on consumer complaints generally.
'''Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia (formally known as the Motor Dealer Council of BC)'''
Telephone: (604) 574-5050
Website: http://www.mdcbcmvsabc.com
*The VSA is a regulatory agency that oversees the retail sales of motor vehicles in British Columbia. This is the office to contact if one believes that the MDA has been violated or one has questions regarding the provisions in the MDA.
'''Better Business Bureau'''
Telephone: (604) 687-4680
Website: http://www.cbacbabc.org/BC/Public_Media/dalFor-the-Public/ Dial-A-Law
*This service provides pre-recorded summaries on the law pertaining to a wide variety of issues in consumer law. Some useful tapes include:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Door-to-Door Sales, Time-Shares and Contracts You Can Cancel: 255 || Buying Goods Shopping by Phone, Mail Orderor the Internet: 256|-| Purchasing Defective Goods: 257 || Car Repairs: 198|-| Deceptive Trade Practices: 260 || Leasing a Car: 196
|-
| Credit CardsBuying Defective Goods: Unsolicited, Lost or Stolen: 259 257 || Buying a Used CarDishonest Business Practices and Schemes: 197260
|}