Quebec operates under a civil law system distinct from the rest of Canada's common law provinces, creating unique considerations for commercial debt collection.
The Civil Code of Québec governs commercial obligations, not the common law. This means different limitation periods, different procedural rules, and different enforcement mechanisms than Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia.
Quebec's Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) requires all commercial communications, including demand letters and court filings, to be in French. English-only collection efforts are ineffective and may violate provincial law.
The Court of Québec handles claims up to CAD 85,000. The Superior Court handles larger claims. Small claims division handles claims up to CAD 15,000 without lawyer representation.
3 years for commercial claims under the Civil Code of Québec (Article 2925). Shorter than most common law provinces.
Seizure before judgment (saisie avant jugement) is available for creditors who can demonstrate the debtor is dissipating assets. Post-judgment enforcement through the Quebec Court Bailiff.
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