Quebec restaurants asking province to let them charge people for no-shows
Frustrated by no-shows, restaurants in Quebec are calling on the provincial government to give them the power to charge people for not honouring their dinner reservations.
It's been a long-standing problem for local businesses and to put more pressure on the province, the association representing more than 6,000 restaurants recently wrote to Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin- Barrette to move forward with the request.
"It's a bigger problem right now, restaurant owners are calling us to do something about it," said Dominique Tremblay, a spokesperson for the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ), in an interview Thursday.
"The fee could be $5, $10, $15, $20 — not a big amount. We don't know the details for now. We know we don't want to charge a big amount of money."
Quebec restaurants can take a credit card number, but under Quebec's consumer protection laws they can't charge for a no-show. While they do ask for a deposit for bookings for large groups, such as holiday parties, the ARQ wants the law changed for reservations of all sizes.
A spokesperson for the justice minister said the government understands the "frustration" faced by restaurateurs and that it is currently reviewing the request from the association.
"We invite citizens to be more vigilant and to take the time to cancel their reservations when they do not intend to show up. It is the least they can do and it is a question of respect for our Quebec entrepreneurs," wrote Elisabeth Gosselin in a message to CTV News.
'HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE'
The McKibbin's Irish Pub in Pointe-Claire often hosts big groups.
"Depending on the reservation we have to bring in extra staff … we order extra food. So getting the numbers down properly is huge for us,” said Owner Brent Laderoute.
By calling clients in advance, they try to reconfirm reservations to make sure they're ready for what the clients ask for. Laderoute says getting a credit card number might make folks keep their promise.
"Something just to hold them accountable, just so they do show up and be the number that they say. In this industry, you're basing it huge on reservations and if they make a reservation for 20 and 10 show-up," it's a problem Laderoute said.
Some Edmonton restaurants started charging customers last year for not notifying them about a cancellation after some said no-shows have surged during the pandemic and hit their bottom line.
The Fulton restaurant in Edmonton charges a fee of $10 per person for online reservations in an attempt to deter people from not showing up.
"It's not about recouping a financial loss. It's not about introducing a financial penalty, even. It is just about introducing a way that reminds people that they're committed to the table," Fulton told CTV News Edmonton in an interview in October 2021.
Celebrity Chef Chuck Hughes is torn about the idea of changing customers a fee.
"What people think about restaurants, that we're making money and it's quite the opposite it's really a labour of love and the margins are really thin and to have a table of six not show up on an evening is really hard," he said.
"That being said, am I ready to charge people because they didn't show up? I don't know. On bigger groups, I think it's really important when you're reserving half the restaurant and you don't show up. There needs to be action."
The ARQ said it would prefer not to have to go down this route in Quebec, but said their clients are dealing with the consequences of what it described as a "bad habit." Restaurants have to plan ahead and call in the appropriate staff to accommodate the expected number of customers.
"Restaurant owners, they cannot deal with it anymore. It's financially really difficult. They have the planning, calling staff. If you call staff you have other [labour] laws to respect," Tremblay said. "So if the waiter comes you have to pay them a certain amount of hours, even if you cancel them and everything. So it adds a lot of consequences that maybe people don't see … but they are really there."
With files from CTV Montreal's Caroline Van Vlaardingen
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.