Regulatory compliance
Regulatory compliance means following the statutes, regulations, licences and permits that apply to a business's activities. For a BC business this typically includes employment standards, workplace safety, privacy, tax, consumer protection, licensing and industry-specific rules, at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
How BC law treats it
Many regulatory offences are strict liability offences, so a business can be convicted unless it proves it took all reasonable care (R v Sault Ste Marie, [1978] 2 SCR 1299). Key BC regimes include the Employment Standards Act, the Workers Compensation Act and the Personal Information Protection Act.
What it means for your business
Documented policies, training and records are the basis of a due diligence defence.
Risks and common mistakes
Without written compliance procedures, a business may be unable to prove due diligence when a violation occurs.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
