Public notices are posted online when a statement of offence cannot be served by usual means such as postal mail or bailiff.
You can check the current notices to see whether your name, or your business’s or organization’s name, appears there.
Prosecuting bodies
The following bodies (prosecutors) may issue statements of offence:
- Revenu Québec (RQ);
- the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF);
- the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).
The statements they issue can be served by public notice.
Timeline of service
The person, business or organization indicated in a statement of offence is considered to be informed of the statement after a public notice has been posted for 30 days.
In legal terms, this means all statements of offence listed in a public notice are deemed to have been served.
What to do if your name appears in a notice
You have until 30 days after the notice publication period ends to respond. The end date can be found in the title of the public notice. For example:
- Service by public notice from [Start date] to [End date].
- You have two options for responding to the statement of offence:
- entering a guilty plea and paying the amount indicated on the statement of offence; or
- entering a plea of not guilty. Your case will then be heard by a judge.
If you take no action
A default judgment will be rendered if you do not act within 30 days of the end of the notice publication period (refer to the end date indicated). If you are found guilty, additional fees will be added to the total of the fine and costs indicated.
Obtaining a copy of the statement of offence
Contact the prosecuting body to obtain a copy of your statement of offence or any other information about your file. The prosecutor’s contact information is in the notice of service.
Last update : 2026-09-29