What Changed / 2026 / Small Claims

Small Claims: What Changed in 2026

Filing fees and claim limits at small claims court by province.

10 verified small claims changes logged in 2026, each checked against its official source. See every topic in the 2026 year in review or everything in date order.

• Verified 2026-10-16 · British Columbia · Small claims

  The Civil Resolution Tribunal hears most BC strata disputes of any amount. We had said strata disputes up to $50,000 go to the CRT; the tribunal states no dollar cap for strata claims. It does not take claims about harassment, bullying or slander, or strata claims about land.

  Strata property disputes up to $50,000 go to the CRT → Most strata property disputes, of any amount, go to the CRT

  Source: Civil Resolution Tribunal: Strata solution explorer

  Updated: Small claims: British Columbia

• Verified 2026-10-16 · British Columbia · Small claims

  In BC Small Claims, a notice of claim is served within 12 months of filing, by leaving a copy with the defendant or by registered mail. The 14 days is the defendant’s time to reply after service (30 days if served outside BC), not a deadline before the hearing. Any other method needs the registrar’s permission.

  Serve the defendant at least 14 days before the hearing → Serve within 12 months of filing, in person or by registered mail; the defendant has 14 days to reply (30 if served outside BC)

  Source: Small Claims Rules, B.C. Reg. 261/93, Rules 2, 3 and 18

  Updated: Small claims: British Columbia

• Verified 2026-10-16 · Ontario · Small claims

  In Ontario Small Claims Court you can serve your own claim, or have a friend or a process server do it. Proof of service is an Affidavit of Service (Form 8A) for each defendant, and the claim is served within six months after the court issues it. We had said you cannot serve it yourself and named a Certificate of Service.

  You cannot serve it yourself; someone over 18 serves; file a Certificate of Service → You can serve it yourself or have someone else do it; file an Affidavit of Service (Form 8A) for each defendant

  Source: Ontario: Guide to procedures in Small Claims Court, serving documents

  Updated: Small claims: Ontario, The Canadian Paperwork Index

• Verified 2026-10-16 · Saskatchewan · Small claims

  In Saskatchewan Small Claims Court the plaintiff serves the claim on each defendant, by personal service or registered mail. The court does not serve it. We had said the registry serves by mail.

  The registry serves the claim by mail (or you) → The plaintiff serves, by personal service or registered mail

  Source: Saskatchewan Courts: Small Claims Court

  Updated: Small claims: Saskatchewan, The Canadian Paperwork Index

• Verified 2026-10-16 · Prince Edward Island · Small claims

  A PEI Small Claims action starts with a Statement of Claim (Form 7A) and a Designation of Address for Service (Form 8A), filed with the clerk with a copy for each defendant. We had named a Claim Form 1A.

  Claim Form 1A → Statement of Claim (Form 7A) and Designation of Address for Service (Form 8A)

  Source: PEI Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 74 (Small Claims Section)

  Updated: Small claims: Prince Edward Island

• Verified 2026-10-16 · Prince Edward Island · Small claims

  In PEI Small Claims the plaintiff serves the claim, personally or by an alternative to personal service, within six months after it is issued. The clerk keeps the original and gives the plaintiff copies to serve. We had said the court serves the defendant by registered mail.

  The court serves the defendant by registered mail → You serve the defendant, personally or by an alternative to personal service, within six months after issue

  Source: PEI Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 74 (Small Claims Section)

  Updated: Small claims: Prince Edward Island, The Canadian Paperwork Index

• Verified 2026-08-06 · British Columbia · Small claims

  Our BC small-claims page stated a filing fee of "$100 to $350 depending on amount" for BC Small Claims Court. That range was unsupported: Schedule A of the Small Claims Rules (B.C. Reg. 261/93) sets filing a notice of claim at $100 for claims up to and including $3,000, and $156 for claims over $3,000, with a $7 e-filing fee per document package if filed electronically. No fee in the schedule reaches $350. Correcting our own error: the figure was invented, not indexed or drifted.

  BC Small Claims Court: $100-$350 depending on amount → $100 (claims up to and including $3,000) or $156 (claims over $3,000), per Schedule A

  Source: Small Claims Rules, B.C. Reg. 261/93, Schedule A (bclaws.gov.bc.ca)

  Updated: Small claims: British Columbia, BC notice of claim form

• Verified 2026-07-09 · Quebec · Small claims

  Quebec small-claims filing fees for a natural person (2026 tariff, indexed each January 1).

  ~$108 / ~$189 (approximate) → $121 (up to $5,000) / $223 ($5,000.01–$10,000) / $241 ($10,000.01–$15,000)

  Source: quebec.ca: Tariff of Court Costs (Small Claims)

  Updated: Small claims: Quebec, The Canadian Paperwork Index

• Verified 2026-07-09 · Nova Scotia · Small claims

  Nova Scotia small-claims filing fees, and where the fee band splits.

  $99.90 (under $15,000) / $189.90 ($15,000–$25,000) → $99.70 (under $5,000) / $199.35 ($5,000–$25,000)

  Source: Nova Scotia Small Claims Court Forms and Procedures Regulations

  Updated: Small claims: Nova Scotia, The Canadian Paperwork Index

• Verified 2026-07-09 · Newfoundland & Labrador · Small claims

  Newfoundland & Labrador small-claims filing fees.

  "$40–$100 depending on claim amount" → $50 (under $500) / $100 ($500–$25,000)

  Source: Provincial Court of NL: Small Claims FAQ

  Updated: Small claims: Newfoundland & Labrador, The Canadian Paperwork Index