Starting today, July 17, restaurants across Quebec are allowed to charge a $10 no-show fee if customers fail to show up for their reservation.
The new rule — announced by Quebec’s Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, and Minister for the Economy, Christopher Skeete — aims to help restaurant owners combat the growing problem of “ghost reservations.”
The $10 fee applies only to reservations for two or more people.
To charge the fee, restaurants must:
- Inform you of the policy in advance
- Confirm your reservation between 6 and 48 hours before your scheduled time
- Allow you to cancel at any time by phone or text
You won’t be charged if you cancel at least a few hours in advance, and the fee will only apply if no one from your group shows up.