How to cancel an Alberta energy contract, and what it can cost

You can cancel an Alberta energy contract without cost or penalty soon after you sign. That window is 10 days for a written contract. After it closes, any exit fee depends on the contract you signed. Look at the disclosure statement on its first page, then give notice in writing and keep proof.

Can I cancel soon after signing?

For a written energy contract, you may cancel without cost or penalty within 10 days after the marketer receives your signed copy. You do not need a reason (section 10(1)(a)(ix) and Schedule 1, item 5). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Every competitive retailer has a cooling-off period of ten calendar days in which the contract can be cancelled for any reason without penalty. Your current retailer keeps providing service until the switch is complete. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The rules differ a little by how you signed. Other times you may cancel without penalty:

• For a contract made by phone, you may cancel without cost or penalty within 10 days after you receive a copy of the contract (section 11.4(1)(a)(xi)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]
• For a contract made by phone, you may also cancel without penalty within 60 days after you receive the first billing statement (section 11.4(1)(a)(xiii)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]
• You may cancel a new contract without cost or penalty if a contract already exists for the same property, unless the existing contract expires on or before the new one begins (section 10(1)(a)(x)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]
• You may cancel without penalty within one year of signing if the contract sets no start date, supply does not begin within 30 days of that date, or the marketer was not licensed when you signed (section 10(1)(a)(xi)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]
• You may cancel a renewed contract without cost or penalty within 10 days of giving your consent to the renewal (section 16(2)). After an automatic renewal, you have 30 days after the first billing statement (section 17(5)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

What to have in front of you

• The contract or disclosure statement.
• The plan name.
• The start date and the end date.
• The exit fee clause.

How do I cancel, and what proof should I keep?

Give notice of cancellation at the address in the contract, by any method that lets you prove you gave it, including mail, fax, e-mail or personal delivery (Schedule 1, item 5). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Say that you cancel the contract, and give your name, service address and account number. Keep a copy of what you sent and the proof that it was sent or delivered. Write down the date and time of any call, and the name of the person you spoke to.

Your current retailer keeps supplying you until any switch is complete, so you are not left without power or gas.

What is an exit fee, and where do I find mine?

An exit fee is a charge for ending a contract before its end date. The law does not set an amount. The contract does.

The contract must show any charges for the supply of energy, including any exit fees that may be charged directly or indirectly by an owner of an electric distribution system (section 10(1)(a)(v)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The disclosure statement must say under what conditions the contract can be ended, including any notice period required (Schedule 1, item 3). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Find the disclosure statement on the first page of your contract. Look for the end date, the notice period and the exit fee clause. If you cannot find them, ask the retailer for the figure in writing before you cancel.

What happens to my contract if I move?

The disclosure statement must say whether you will or will not still be responsible to buy energy under the contract if you move to another location within Alberta (Schedule 1, item 4). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

A marketer must allow you to cancel the contract if you move out of Alberta, or to an area where the Electric Utilities Act or the Gas Utilities Act does not apply (section 19(2)(n)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Tell your retailer your move date early and ask in writing what happens to the contract. Our moving guide covers the other steps of a move.

What are the rules for door-to-door and phone sales?

A marketer must not solicit, negotiate or conclude a contract in person at your home, unless you expressly invited them before they came, by phone, e-mail, text, their website or in person at their place of business (section 19(2)(a) and (5)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

In Alberta, utility companies cannot sell their services door-to-door. The Utilities Consumer Advocate notes there is no such restriction for solar companies. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The Consumer Protection Act allows you to cancel a door-to-door sale within 10 days. You do not need to give a reason. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

A person marketing for a licensed marketer must produce an identification card showing their name and the marketer’s name, address and licence number when you ask (sections 8 and 19(2)(a.1)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

For phone sales:

• The entire call that makes a phone contract must be recorded and kept for the length of the contract. You may ask for a copy of the recording (sections 11.1 and 11.2). (read 15 October 2026) [source]
• For a contract made by phone, you may cancel without cost or penalty within 10 days after you receive a copy of the contract (section 11.4(1)(a)(xi)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Never agree to anything on the spot. You can hang up and look up the company yourself.

What if I was signed up without my consent?

A marketer must not switch your energy supply without your written or electronic consent (section 19(2)(o)). (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Start with these steps:

• Ask the retailer in writing for a copy of the contract, the date of enrolment and, for a phone sale, the recording.
• Say in writing that you did not agree, and ask to be returned to your previous plan.
• Keep every bill and letter.

When a retailer signs up a customer using the wrong address, the Utilities Consumer Advocate can contact the distributor to find out what changed at your address and explain it to you. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

A business requires a licence to market gas or electricity, including to solicit, negotiate or conclude contracts, unless it is an agent of a licensed marketer. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Who can help?

Go in this order. Start with your retailer, in writing. If that does not settle it, the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) can help with a dispute about a contract, enrolment or billing.

To reach a Utilities Consumer Advocate mediation officer, call 310-4822 in Alberta or 1-888-644-6608 outside Alberta, or email ucahelps@gov.ab.ca. The UCA mediation team helps consumers resolve an issue with their utility company. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is the last step, and for an ordinary contract dispute it is usually not the right one.

The Alberta Utilities Commission does not regulate the rates of competitive retailers and has no jurisdiction over the service they provide. It points customers to the Utilities Consumer Advocate, which can mediate disputes with competitive retailers, and to Service Alberta for licensing and complaints. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The Market Surveillance Administrator investigates complaints about unfair price setting and energy market manipulation. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

If you plan to change plans, see our guide to switching providers and our guide to renewing a plan.

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