How to write a demand letter in Québec
In brief
To write a demand letter in Québec, draft a letter that sets out the facts, makes a specific demand and allows a reasonable time to comply (often 10 days), then send it in a way that lets you prove it was received. No lawyer needed: anyone can write and send it themselves, for free.
This guide walks through each step (from identifying the recipient to sending with proof of receipt) and reflects the requirements of the Civil Code of Québec. You can draft your letter from a free template, then send it however you choose.
The 7 steps to write a demand letter
A demand letter always follows the same structure. Here are the seven steps to write and send it properly.
- 01
Identify the recipient
Name the person or business concerned, with their full contact details and yours. A letter sent to the wrong party or without clear identification loses its value.
- 02
Set out the facts
Describe the situation chronologically, with precise dates and amounts. Stick to verifiable facts, without emotional accusations: they add no legal value and can undermine your credibility.
- 03
Make a specific demand
State exactly what you require: “carry out the bathroom plumbing work” or “refund $850” rather than “fix the problem.” A vague demand is hard to enforce.
- 04
Set a reasonable deadline
Allow a sufficient time for performance, most often 10 days. It can be shorter in an emergency (24 to 72 hours) or longer for a complex obligation.
- 05
Sign and date it
Date the letter and sign it. Add the words “without prejudice,” which protect your rights if the file reaches a tribunal.
- 06
Keep a copy
Keep a copy of the final letter. Together with the proof of sending, it becomes a key document if you have to go to a tribunal.
- 07
Send it with proof of receipt
Send the letter in a way that lets you prove it was received: registered mail, a bailiff or certified email. Without proof of receipt, the demand letter loses much of its force.
What your demand letter must contain
- Your full contact details and those of the recipient
- The date it was written
- The words “without prejudice,” which protect your rights
- A clear, chronological account of the facts, with dates and amounts
- Your specific demand (repair, payment, stopping a behaviour)
- A reasonable deadline to comply: usually 10 days
- The consequences of non-compliance (legal recourse, damages)
- Your signature
Article 1595 C.C.Q. provides that “an extrajudicial demand by which a creditor puts his debtor in default must be made in writing” and that it must allow the debtor “sufficient time for performance, having regard to the nature of the obligation and the circumstances.” Beyond these requirements, the letter need not follow any particular form.
How much time should you allow?
Article 1595 of the Civil Code of Québec requires a sufficient time for performance, having regard to the nature of the obligation and the circumstances. In practice, a deadline of 10 days is generally considered reasonable. It can be shorter in an emergency (heating in winter) or longer for major work.
A deadline that is too short does not make the letter invalid: article 1595 C.C.Q. provides that the debtor may then perform the obligation within a reasonable time after the demand. A deadline that is too short therefore delays your recourse instead of speeding it up.
Do you need a lawyer?
No. Anyone can write and send their own demand letter. A demand letter written by a citizen has the same legal value as one written by a lawyer. A lawyer's help is still recommended for complex situations or large amounts.
How to send it
Sending it matters as much as writing it: without proof of receipt, your demand letter loses much of its force before the tribunal. Three methods can prove receipt.
- Registered mail (Canada Post): about $15 to $25, 3 to 10 business days
- Bailiff (huissier de justice): about $75 to $150 or more, hand-delivered with a record of service
- Certified email (LCCJTI): instant sending, timestamped proof of receipt, the most economical option
With Locato, you fill in your template, then send your demand letter by certified email for $14.99, with a timestamped proof report conforming to the LCCJTI: confirmation of sending, confirmation of delivery to the recipient's server and opening detection where possible. One nuance: the recipient must have consented to receiving communications by email: if you've never exchanged emails with them, double up with registered mail.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you wait for a response?
Allow a reasonable time for performance: most often 10 days. This deadline can be shorter in an emergency (24 to 72 hours) or longer for a complex obligation. The recipient is not required to reply in writing, but must comply within the deadline set, failing which you can move to the next step.
Is a demand letter required before suing?
In most cases, the demand letter is the first step before going to a tribunal. It is often required to claim damages and shows your good faith. Many disputes settle at this stage, without a hearing.
Can you send it by email?
Yes. The Act to establish a legal framework for information technology (LCCJTI) recognizes the transmission of documents by technological means. A certified email service produces timestamped proof of receipt. It is important that the recipient use email as a usual means of communication.
What if the demand letter goes unanswered?
If the recipient does not comply within the deadline allowed, you can move to the judicial stage: an application to the Tribunal administratif du logement for a housing dispute, or to the Court of Québec (Small Claims Division) depending on the nature of the dispute. Your demand letter and its proof of sending then become important documents in your file.
How much does it cost?
Writing it costs nothing if you do it yourself with a template. For sending: registered mail costs about $15 to $25, a bailiff about $75 to $150 or more, and certified email is generally the most economical and fastest option, at $14.99 with Locato.
Can you use it for any kind of dispute?
Yes. A demand letter applies to almost any dispute where someone fails to perform an obligation: unpaid rent, repairs, an unpaid invoice, a breached contract, a defective product. The structure stays the same; only the facts and the demand change.