Oh, Canada, you give us ice hockey, maple syrup, Tom Hortons, and one stubborn province that had a noted aversion to “publicity contests.” But no more. Quebec has amended its laws concerning mandatory registration and fees for “publicity contests” (or what we in the lower 48 call “sweepstakes with a timed- mathematical question”).
Recently, the National Assembly of Quebec passed Bill 82 called “An Act respecting mainly the implementation of certain provisions of the Budget Speech of 10 March 2020.” Besides streamlining the process to transfer investments to a former spouse and increasing the proceeds from the tobacco tax to the Sports and Physical Activity Development Fund, this Act relaxed the rules applicable to international publicity contests that include contestants from Quebec, effective June 2, 2021.
Previously, to run a sweepstakes in Quebec, a sponsor had to register the rules and all advertisements with the Quebec government at least 30 days ahead of the sweepstakes launch; publish the full text of the rules at least 10 days before the start date; and pay up to 10% of the sweepstakes prizes in fees. As a result, the common practice for US/Canadian sweepstakes was to simply “Void in Quebec.”
As a result of the new Act, the Quebec registration and fee requirements have been abolished.
Mais, calmez-vous!
You’ll still have to include in your Official Rules: (i) the timed-mathematical question (or something – wink, wink – that makes it a skill contest); (ii) the time, date and location of the drawing; (iii) a personal information usage notice; and (iv) a notice to litigate before le Regie des coors et des jeux. And importantly, materials will still need to be translated to French.
Merci beaucoup, Quebec. Nous vous aimons.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Any complaints about my English to French translations should be forwarded to www.google.com.
