Report Deceptive Advertising Complaints in Burnaby

Business and Consumer Protection British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia · By Daniel Roy

In Burnaby, British Columbia, consumers and businesses who suspect deceptive or misleading advertising can report complaints online to provincial and federal enforcement agencies as well as to municipal bylaw services. This guide explains which agencies handle different types of claims, the typical enforcement outcomes, how to file an online complaint, and what evidence to gather. Use the steps below to report directly, and follow the appeals and payment instructions if an order or fine is issued.

Penalties & Enforcement

Deceptive advertising may be addressed by multiple authorities. Consumer Protection BC handles many provincial consumer matters; use their online complaint form for consumer transactions Consumer Protection BC - File a Complaint[1]. The Competition Bureau investigates deceptive marketing and false or misleading representations that affect competition and can refer matters for enforcement Competition Bureau - Deceptive Marketing[2]. The City of Burnaby enforces municipal bylaws related to signage, business licensing and local advertising rules; report bylaw complaints to Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement - Report a Complaint[3].

Multiple agencies may be involved depending on whether the issue is a consumer transaction, competition matter, or local bylaw breach.
  • Fines and penalties: specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal and provincial pages; see each agency link for possible orders or penalties.
  • Escalation: first, investigation and informal resolution; repeat or serious breaches may lead to orders, administrative penalties or referral for prosecution - specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: cease-and-desist orders, removal of advertising, corrective notices, injunctions or referral to court may apply depending on the enforcing agency.
  • Enforcers and complaint pathways: Consumer Protection BC handles consumer complaints[1], the Competition Bureau handles deceptive marketing affecting competition[2], and Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement handles local bylaw and signage issues[3].
  • Appeals and reviews: appeal routes depend on the issuing agency; timelines and processes are agency-specific and may not be specified on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

To file a complaint online, use the official complaint forms or portals provided by the enforcing agencies. Consumer Protection BC publishes a consumer complaint form and submission instructions on its website[1]. The Competition Bureau accepts reports of deceptive marketing online[2]. The City of Burnaby provides online options to report bylaw complaints; specific municipal forms or fees for deceptive advertising are not specified on the cited municipal page[3].

Keep copies of advertising, receipts, screenshots and dates before filing a complaint.

How to decide where to file

  • If the issue concerns a purchase, warranty, refund or unfair business practice, start with Consumer Protection BC[1].
  • If the advertising may harm competitors or distort markets, file with the Competition Bureau[2].
  • If the problem is local signage, incorrect business licensing display, or a bylaw breach in Burnaby, contact Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement[3].
Document the full ad, the date you saw it, and any direct costs to speed investigations.

FAQ

Who enforces deceptive advertising in Burnaby?
Provincial consumer protection (Consumer Protection BC), federal competition authorities (Competition Bureau), and Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement can each play a role depending on the nature of the advertising.
Do I have to pay a fee to file a complaint?
No municipal or provincial filing fees are typically required for consumer complaints; check each agency form for specifics.
How long will an investigation take?
Investigation timelines vary by agency and case complexity; none of the cited pages give a guaranteed timeline.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: screenshots, photos, dated receipts, URLs and any communications with the advertiser.
  2. Choose the right agency: use Consumer Protection BC for consumer transactions, the Competition Bureau for market-wide deceptive marketing, or Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement for local bylaw issues.
  3. Submit the online complaint form on the agency website and attach supporting documents.
  4. Monitor responses and follow any directions for appeals, payments, or corrections.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiple agencies may share responsibility; pick the one matching your issue.
  • Strong evidence speeds resolution: save ads, receipts and dates.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Consumer Protection BC - File a Complaint
  2. [2] Competition Bureau - Deceptive Marketing
  3. [3] City of Burnaby - Report a Bylaw Complaint

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Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.