It’s been a year since Quebec allowed restaurants to charge no-show fees to diners who fail to cancel their reservations on time. While the law sets a limit of $10 per person, some restaurants are charging more. When making an online reservation at Garde Manger, touted by the Michelin Guide as one of the top restaurants in the city, customers are asked to give their credit card information with the disclaimer: “No-shows or cancellations less than 1 day in advance may be subject to a charge of $50 per person.” It’s an amount several other fine dining restaurants in the city also charge for no-shows. Under Quebec’s “no-show” law, diners are liable when they fail to cancel up to three hours before a reservation, but there are limits to what restaurants can charge. “The law is clear that the maximum is $10 per person,” said Sara Eve Levac, a lawyer with Option Consommateurs. “So even if the merchant makes me sign a contract that says there could be a $50 fee, if I do not show up the law will still apply.” She said that customers can dispute those charges. “If consumers go to a restaurant and they have a penalty imposed on them of more than $10 per person, they can first negotiate with the merchant, tell them they know their rights, and the limit is $10. They can file a complaint at the Office for Consumer Protection, the organization that oversees the application of the law.” Garde Manger did not respond to CTV News’ request for an interview. Martin Vezina, vice-president of public and governmental affairs for Quebec’s Restaurant Association, said the fees are having an impact on consumers’ behaviour and deterring no-shows, and some owners aren’t even using the penalty, but no-shows are a costly problem. “By regulation, the no show fees are capped at $10 per person and it’s the amount the industry shall follow. Nonetheless, our members, in an internal poll, have told us that this amount is insufficient for some to influence customers that are still doing no shows. That’s why we will asking a future government to raise this amount,” he said.
