The rule. In Quebec, a restaurant can charge a maximum fee of $10 per person when a reservation isn't honoured, explains the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC), Quebec's consumer protection office. The reservation must be for a group of at least two people. The regulation that allows it has been in force since July 17, 2025: with group dinners and holiday reservations coming up, now is a good time to know it.
What the restaurant must do first. To be allowed to charge this fee, the restaurant must clearly tell you about it before you book. It must also let you cancel easily at any time, by text, online or by another technological means. And it must send you a reminder or confirmation, by text or email, between 6 and 48 hours before the reservation time, with a link to cancel (unless you booked within that window).
When you owe nothing. No fee is allowed if you cancel at least 3 hours before the reservation time. You can use the method the restaurant provides, but nothing stops you from cancelling by phone or in person. There's no fee either if at least one person in your group arrives at the scheduled time, or if the restaurant failed to meet any of its obligations.
No charge in advance. The restaurant can take your credit card information as a guarantee, but it can't charge anything before the scheduled reservation time. And if it does charge the fee, it can't add any other penalty or charge related to the reservation.
Good to know for newcomers. Can't make it? Cancel as soon as you can, and no later than 3 hours before. If a restaurant asks for more than $10 per person, or charges you even though you cancelled in time, the limit is set by law: you can raise it with the merchant, then contact the OPC. Our guide to dining out in Quebec covers other customs to know, and our guide to tipping explains how to work it out.
