What is dual agency in BC real estate, and what must be disclosed?

This answer covers the law of British Columbia.

Dual agency means one brokerage acting for both the buyer and the seller in the same sale, and in British Columbia a brokerage must not engage in it. Designating different agents within a brokerage does not by itself count as dual agency, unless the designated licensee represents both sides as clients. A brokerage may engage in dual agency in a remote location where it is impracticable for the parties to be served by different licensees.

In that remote-location case, the licensee must first make the required disclosure to each party and then enter a written dual agency agreement with each party, and the brokerage must promptly give the superintendent the disclosure. Where a licensee would otherwise act for conflicting clients in one trade, they must either serve none of them or represent only one, and may represent only one if all clients give written agreement. The main risk is divided loyalty, because a licensee owes a client duties such as acting in the client's best interests and keeping client information confidential.

Whether your situation is dual agency or designated agency depends on the facts, so ask who the licensee represents and confirm with a lawyer before you sign.