Small Claims Court in Canada: Limits by Province
Small claims court is the fastest and cheapest way to sue for a limited amount of money in Canada, and you usually do not need a lawyer. But there is no single national small claims court. Each province sets its own dollar limit, its own court or tribunal, and its own process, and the limit ranges from $15,000 in Quebec to $100,000 in Alberta.
Information last verified on 19 July 2026. This hub presents general legal information, not legal advice.
Jurisdiction scope: This hub covers suing in small claims court across Canada's provinces. It signposts each province's money limit and process and links to detailed guides. It does not cover United States small claims. It is general information, not advice for your situation.
Small claims is provincial
There is no national small claims court in Canada. Ontario has a Small Claims Court within the Superior Court of Justice. British Columbia splits small claims between the online Civil Resolution Tribunal and the Provincial Court. Alberta uses the Alberta Court of Justice. Quebec has a Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec. Each other province has its own court and rules again. The result is that the single most important question, how much can I sue for here, has a different answer in every province.
Small claims money limits by province
The table below shows the current limit in the provinces we cover in depth. Confirm the figure with your local court before you file, because these limits change.
| Province | Court or tribunal | Money limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Small Claims Court (Superior Court of Justice) | $50,000 |
| Quebec | Small Claims Division, Court of Quebec | $15,000 |
| British Columbia | Civil Resolution Tribunal / Provincial Court | $5,000 (CRT) / $35,000 |
| Alberta | Alberta Court of Justice | $100,000 |
| Manitoba | Court of King's Bench (small claims) | $20,000 |
| Nova Scotia | Small Claims Court | $25,000 |
Other provinces set their own limits: Saskatchewan is commonly $30,000, New Brunswick $20,000, Newfoundland and Labrador $25,000, and Prince Edward Island $16,000. Confirm the current figure with the court in your province before relying on it.
Guides in this cluster
- Ontario Small Claims Court: sue for up to $50,000
- BC small claims and the Civil Resolution Tribunal
- Alberta small claims: sue for up to $100,000
- Quebec small claims: the petites creances division
- Manitoba small claims: up to $20,000
- Nova Scotia Small Claims Court
- How to file a small claim in Canada
- Serving and collecting a small claims judgment
This cluster is part of our Canadian law by province hub, which maps where federal rules apply uniformly across Canada and where the provinces and territories differ.
Frequently asked questions
Where to go next
Start with the guide for your province, then check the official source it cites. Each province publishes its own small claims information: Ontario through Tribunals Ontario and the Superior Court, British Columbia through the Provincial Court and the Civil Resolution Tribunal, Alberta through the Alberta Court of Justice, and Quebec through the Court of Québec.
Disclaimer
This hub presents general legal information about small claims court in Canada, verified on 19 July 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Money limits, forms, and procedures differ by province and change over time, and how they apply depends on your specific facts. For advice on your situation, contact your local court or a lawyer licensed in your province.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I sue for in small claims court in Canada?
It depends on the province. The limit is $50,000 in Ontario (since 1 October 2025), $100,000 in Alberta (the highest in Canada), $35,000 in the BC Provincial Court (with the Civil Resolution Tribunal handling up to $5,000), $25,000 in Nova Scotia, $20,000 in Manitoba, and $15,000 in Quebec. Other provinces set their own limits, so confirm the figure with your local court.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?
Usually not. Small claims is designed to be used without a lawyer, and in Quebec lawyers are not allowed to represent parties at the hearing at all. You can still get legal advice beforehand, and in most provinces you may use a lawyer or, in Ontario, a licensed paralegal if you choose.
What if my claim is worth more than the limit?
You can either sue in the higher court (which is slower and more expensive), or you can abandon the amount above the limit and stay in small claims court, accepting that you give up the excess. Which is worth it depends on how much you would give up and how strong your case is.
I won my case but the defendant will not pay. What now?
A judgment does not collect itself. You may need to enforce it by garnishing the debtor's wages or bank account, seizing and selling property through a bailiff or civil-enforcement agency, registering the judgment against land, or examining the debtor about their assets. Some income and property is exempt from seizure, and the rules differ by province.
Sources and References
- Government of Ontario — Suing someone in Small Claims Court(ontario.ca).gov
- Government of British Columbia — Small claims(gov.bc.ca).gov
- Alberta Court of Justice — Civil claims(albertacourts.ca).gov
- Government of Quebec — Small claims (petites creances)(quebec.ca).gov
- O Reg 42/25 (Ontario small claims limit to $50,000)(canlii.org)