According to the Consumer Protection Act, you can cancel your contract at two times.
SHORT-TERM CANCELLATION PERIOD:
- Before the contracted services begin. In this case, no fee will be charged;
- Within 1/10 of the contract period, from the time the centre starts providing the services to you. In this case, the trader may ask you to pay a sum corresponding to 1/10 of the total price stipulated in the contract.
Example: You have signed a 10-month contract with a fitness centre for a total cost of $400.00. You can terminate the contract within the first 4 weeks. The centre may then ask you to pay $40.00, or 1/10 of $400.00.
CANCELLATION PERIOD: LONGER TERM
Do you want to terminate your contract after the deadline set out in the Consumer Protection Act? The Civil Code of Quebec gives you the right to do so. But before you contact the merchant, the Office de la protection du consommateur suggests that you find out about articles 2125 and 2129 of the Civil Code. You can contact a legal adviser or an organisation offering legal support.
The merchant may ask you to pay compensation. In particular, he has the right to claim the price of the services provided.
Example: You terminate a one-year contract after 4 months for $420.00. The merchant would be entitled to:
- Charge $140.00 for the period during which the services were provided to you;
- Claim an additional amount from you if they can show that they were harmed by the cancellation of the contract.
The merchant will have to give you back the money you paid in advance for the services that were not provided.
If you think the compensation imposed is excessive, you can take your case to court.
HOW TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
To cancel your contract, you must send the merchant the cancellation form attached to your contract or another written notice.
We advise you to send the document by registered mail. The contract is cancelled as soon as the form or notice is sent.
From the date of sending, the trader has 10 days to give you the money he owes you, if any.