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Witnesses Indemnities

As a witness, you can claim indemnities and allowances to reimburse your expenses to testify, including accommodation, transportation, parking, meals and lost time.

Keep supporting documentation (invoices, receipts, etc.) for your expenses.

To be reimbursed, take your supporting documentation and your subpoena to the Financial services counter at the courthouse.

The staff there will answer your questions about the indemnities you are entitled to claim.

On this page:

Whether you testify or not, you may claim an indemnity for transportation, parking, meals and accommodation for every day you attend court.

Transportation

You can claim the cost of public transportation for your trip to the courthouse or to your home. 

If you travel by car, you can claim $0.60 per kilometre, plus the cost of parking.

These maximum amounts do not include Goods and Services Tax (GST), Québec Sales Tax (QST) or the accommodation tax, which, when charged, will also be reimbursed.

Meals

You can claim meal costs up to:

  • $13.75 for breakfast
  • $18.90 for lunch
  • $28.50 for dinner.

These amounts include tax and tips.

Accommodation

You can request an allowance for accommodation if you decide to sleep at a hotel because you need to appear on several consecutive days and the distance between your home and the courthouse is too great. The allowance ranges from $95 to $166 per night in a hotel.

These maximum amounts do not include Goods and Services Tax (GST), Québec Sales Tax (QST) or the accommodation tax, which, when charged, will also be reimbursed.

Note, however, that the amount of your allowance will be calculated based on the least costly option.

Indemnity for loss of time

You are generally entitled to an indemnity for the time spent at the courthouse at the rate of: 

  • $90 per day
  • $45 for five hours or less.

Reimbursement of expenses for witnesses at the Small Claims Division

A Small Claims Division judge can grant you indemnities if you request them during your testimony.

Last update: August 2, 2023

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