Q: I am wondering what legal, etc differences there are from Quebec to the rest of Canada. I don't mean obvious things like language. I have seen many instances of "Not available in Quebec" on contests, warranties, or other fine print. What can anyone tell me about this? I am considering moving to Montreal, having lived in Alberta and BC, and am curious about what to expect.
A: Why contests are void in Quebec: The reason why residents of Quebec are not eligible to enter many Canada sweepstakes is not because the sponsors don't want to advertise in Quebec, and it's nothing personal against any of the residents of that fine province. Rather, many sweepstakes are void in Quebec because the sponsors must follow a stringent set of rules set out by the Quebec government. For example, Quebec requires that contests and sweepstakes, depending on their prize value, must do some or all of the following things: * Register the sweepstakes rules and all advertisements used to promote the contest with the Quebec government at least 30 days ahead of the sweepstake's launch. * Pay a fee of 10% of the sweepstake's value. * Agree to allow the government of Quebec to mediate any lawsuits arising from the contest. * Follow strict guidelines about the contents of the sweepstakes rules. * Allow the Quebec government to determine if the sweepstake may be changed or canceled once it has started. * File a written report after the contest has concluded, attesting that the prizes have been delivered or attempted to be delivered. * Agree to follow a number of other rules and guidelines. See the full laws governing Quebec sweepstakes. While these laws are intended to protect the citizens of Quebec, they are also a significant burden on money and resources to sweepstakes sponsors, and the consequences for a mistake are severe.