What is the difference between a power of attorney and a representation agreement in BC?

An Enduring Power of Attorney covers financial and legal affairs; a Representation Agreement covers health and personal care. BC uses two separate documents for the two areas.

Why does BC use the word enduring?

An enduring power of attorney keeps working after you lose mental capacity. A plain power of attorney in BC ends at incapacity, so most people choose an enduring one.

What is a section 9 representation agreement?

An enhanced Representation Agreement that can grant broader health-care powers, including refusing life support. It has stricter assessment and witnessing requirements than a standard section 7 agreement.

Do I need both documents in BC?

Most people benefit from both an Enduring Power of Attorney for finances and a Representation Agreement (often plus an advance directive) for health care, so all decisions are covered.

Power of Attorney in BC: Enduring POA and Representation

British Columbia separates financial and health decision-making into two different documents: an Enduring Power of Attorney for finances under the Power of Attorney Act, and a Representation Agreement for health and personal care under the Representation Agreement Act. This is general information, not legal advice — consult a lawyer in your province.

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney in BC?

An Enduring Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone to handle your financial and legal affairs. The word 'enduring' means the authority continues even if you later become mentally incapable, which is the whole point of the document.

Without the word 'enduring,' an ordinary power of attorney in BC ends the moment you lose capacity — exactly when you would most need it — so an enduring version is what most people want.

What is a Representation Agreement?

BC does not use a 'power of attorney for personal care.' Instead, you make a Representation Agreement to appoint a representative for health-care and personal-care decisions, such as medical treatment and living arrangements.

A standard (section 7) agreement covers routine health and personal care, while an enhanced (section 9) agreement can grant broader powers, including refusing life-support treatment, and has stricter signing requirements.

How do you sign these BC documents?

An Enduring Power of Attorney must be signed by you and your attorney and witnessed. If a witness is not a lawyer or notary, two witnesses are required. BC also recognizes electronic signing in certain circumstances.

A Representation Agreement has its own witnessing rules, and a section 9 agreement requires specific assessments and witnesses. Because the formalities differ from financial POAs, follow the instructions carefully.

What about an advance directive in BC?

BC also allows an advance directive, which records your health-care instructions directly to providers without naming a representative. People often combine a Representation Agreement with an advance directive for full coverage.

If you have none of these and lose capacity, BC's default rules let a list of relatives act as temporary substitute decision-makers for health care, but a court application may be needed for finances.

Can you make BC powers of attorney online?

Yes. An Enduring Power of Attorney and a Representation Agreement made with a quality online service are valid in BC provided they are signed and witnessed correctly under the relevant Acts.

iFinallyWill produces BC-specific Enduring Powers of Attorney and personal-care documents alongside your will, with the right signing instructions, lifetime updates, and a money-back guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a power of attorney and a representation agreement in BC?: An Enduring Power of Attorney covers financial and legal affairs; a Representation Agreement covers health and personal care. BC uses two separate documents for the two areas.
Why does BC use the word enduring?: An enduring power of attorney keeps working after you lose mental capacity. A plain power of attorney in BC ends at incapacity, so most people choose an enduring one.
What is a section 9 representation agreement?: An enhanced Representation Agreement that can grant broader health-care powers, including refusing life support. It has stricter assessment and witnessing requirements than a standard section 7 agreement.
Do I need both documents in BC?: Most people benefit from both an Enduring Power of Attorney for finances and a Representation Agreement (often plus an advance directive) for health care, so all decisions are covered.