Leaving an Energy Contract in Alberta

Hilary

By Hilary

Updated on
min reading

Sometimes circumstances change and you decide that you no longer want to continue with the energy contract that you have chosen. This may involve being obliged to pay an early-exit/cancellation fee, but not always. Whether or not you face financial implications for changing your mind depends on the timing and the circumstances of how you signed your contract.

During the First 10 Days

During the first 10 days after the energy marketer has received a copy of the signed contract you may change your mind and cancel it without paying any fees. Your electricity service should not be interrupted. You can cancel your contract by contacting your energy marketer, using the contact information listed in the Product Sheet part of your contract. If they have asked for a deposit from you, they must pay it back.

If you Entered a Contract Over the Phone

If you entered a contract over the phone you have up to 60 days after the first billing statement to change your mind and cancel without having to pay cancellation fees.

If You Discover That Your Contract Was Irregular

The following circumstances may make it possible to cancel your contract within one year, when you entered it via a door-to-door salesperson, the Internet, or over the phone:

  • You did not receive supply within 30 days of the date at the start date indicated in the contract
  • During the time at which the contract was entered, the marketer was not licensed
  • The contract did not specify a specific date upon which the supply was to start

If it is after the 10 day cooling period

In this case you may have to pay a cancellation/early-exit fee, as outlined in your contract. Your electricity contract must contain a description of the situations in which you can cancel the contract and what the according fees are in each circumstance. Some, but not all, competitive energy retailers offer contracts that do not have any cancellation fees if you give notice within a certain amount of time (often 10-15 days). In any event, it is important to know and understand the terms and conditions of your contract before signing it.