Continuing service contracts are those in which you receive services over a period of time, rather than all at once. These types of contracts are limited to dance lessons, personal training (such as Boot Camp), weight loss, self defence, gym and travel club memberships. In order to address lifetime memberships and automatic renewals, continuing service contracts cannot be more than 2 years in duration.  In order for the contact to be renewed you must consent in writing within one month of the expiry date of the contract.

You may cancel a continuing service contract for any reason by given notice to the supplier no later than 10 days after the date that you receive a copy of the contract.  If you cancel within 10 days, the supplier must provide a refund within 15 days of the notice of cancellation.

You may also cancel a continuing services contract at any time by giving notice of cancellation and the reason for the cancellation to the supplier but only if there has been a material change in your circumstances or in the services provided by the supplier.

A material change in your circumstances includes death, a physical, medical or mental disability, substantiated in writing by a medical practitioner, relocation of more than 30 km if the supplier does not provide reasonably comparable facilities.

A material change in the services provided by the supplier occurs when the services are not completed, are no longer available, or when the supplier relocates his or her facility more than 30 km.

To view the exact definition of a continuing service contract, please visit Part 4 of the Business Practices & Consumer Protection Act as well as the Consumer Contracts Regulation.