Published in the Pontiac Journal on January 14, 2026.
Tashi Farmilo
GATINEAU/ PONTIAC – Mandatory mediation and automatic arbitration are now required for small claims under $5,000 in the judicial districts of Gatineau and Pontiac, part of an effort to reduce court delays and improve access to justice.
The policy, in effect since November 3, applies to all contested claims filed in the Small Claims Division of the Court of Quebec. Under the new process, parties must first attempt to resolve their dispute through mediation. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds directly to arbitration, eliminating the need for a court hearing.
“It’s about making the justice system more efficient, accessible and human,” Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said. “It gives residents a greater role in resolving their own disputes, while reducing wait times.”
In 2024, the median time to obtain a judgment in small claims court was about 24 months in Gatineau and 16 months in Pontiac. The government estimates the new system will resolve disputes in three to nine months, depending on whether cases are settled through mediation or require arbitration.
The reform is part of Quebec’s Act to Improve the Efficiency and Accessibility of Justice, which promotes alternative dispute resolution and streamlines civil procedures. For claims over $5,000, mediation and arbitration remain voluntary, though residents who choose mediation early may see their cases processed more quickly.
Regional leaders welcomed the initiative, citing heavy caseloads. “The courthouses in our region are among the busiest in Quebec,” said Mathieu Lacombe, minister responsible for the Outaouais.
Officials say the changes are intended to reduce stress. “Having a legal case can be a source of stress,” said Suzanne Tremblay, MNA for Hull. “Mandatory mediation and
arbitration will help cases move forward more quickly.”
