Canadian province says it will allow restaurants to charge people for no-shows [Video]

The Quebec government says it will allow restaurants to charge people who reserve a table but who don’t show up and don’t cancel ahead of time, a change welcomed by an industry that says no-shows cost the average eatery almost $50,000 a year.

Under a regulation set to start July 17, restaurants will be able to charge up to $10 a person for no-shows, but only if the reservation is for five people or more. However, restaurateurs will not be allowed to charge the fee if at least one member of the group shows up to eat.

The new rule is in response to complaints by restaurant owners, who for years have been asking the government to help them recoup some losses from no-shows. Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act forbids restaurants from charging no-show fees.

Association Restauration Québec, a group that advocates for the province’s restaurateurs, says no-shows cost restaurants an …