For years, I wondered why Quebec didn’t repeal their contest laws as promotions had changed so much; their laws only stopped companies from advertising in their province with giveaways.

In March 2020, I learned that the law may be removed: Open to ALL of Canada. The Montreal Gazette wrote an article, which was forwarded to me by one of my Quebec contest buddies.

In August of 2021, laws were passed to remove the contest filing requirements, but there was no indication as to when they would take effect. A Change in Quebec’s Contest Laws

Well, on October 27, 2023, it finally happened! Gowlings, the law firm whose lawyers write the book Advertising and Marketing Law in Canada, wrote this blog:

GAME-CHANGER: QUEBEC ABOLISHES CONTEST LAWS

On Friday, October 27, 2023, Quebec enacted significant changes to its provincial rules governing publicity contests. Specifically, it repealed the provisions in the Act respecting lotteries, publicity contests, and amusement machines that pertained to publicity contests, and abolished the Rules respecting publicity contests in its entirety.

As a result of these amendments, contest sponsors are relieved of the obligation to formally file their publicity contests with the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (referred to as the Régie). Furthermore, they are no longer required to remit duty payments based on the value of the prizes awarded in such contests, file a winners’ report or furnish security (where applicable).

Additionally, various Quebec-specific requirements governing publicity contests have been eliminated. This includes the necessity to include specific disclosures within contest rules, as well as the former requirement to seek permission from the Régie for any modifications to a contest once it has been launched.

It is important to note that the Régie has confirmed that it will continue to exercise jurisdiction over contests that were filed prior to October 27, 2023, regardless of the contest’s start date.

For more detailed information and resources, please consult the Régie’s website, which is available exclusively in French, here.

And on the Régie website, Google translated this for me.

Advertising contests

This page presents the form that must be produced to the Régie within 60 days following the date of designation of the winners of an advertising contest declared to the Régie by means of a notice of holding of an advertising contest before October 27, 2023.

The Companies organizing, as of this date, a competition targeting participants from Quebec no longer have to fulfill the regulatory and administrative obligations previously governed by the Régie.

So it’s official. All companies can now host giveaways open to Canada.

Did you know about the change?