A Canadian Letter of Intent to Sue is a formal pre-litigation notice sent by a prospective plaintiff to a prospective defendant, clearly stating the intention to commence legal proceedings if the dispute between the parties is not resolved within a specified timeframe. This document serves as a final warning before the aggrieved party files a claim in the applicable Canadian court, whether that is a provincial Small Claims Court, Superior Court, or Federal Court. The letter identifies the parties, describes the dispute, outlines the demands for resolution, sets a deadline for response, and warns of the specific legal remedies that will be sought if the matter proceeds to litigation.

Under Canadian law, there is generally no statutory requirement to send a letter of intent to sue before commencing a civil action, with certain exceptions. However, Canadian courts strongly favour parties who demonstrate genuine attempts to resolve disputes before resorting to litigation. This principle is reflected in the costs rules of most provinces, where a court may reduce or deny costs to a party who failed to make reasonable settlement efforts. In Ontario, the Rules of Civil Procedure (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194) include provisions for mandatory mediation in certain regions, and the court considers pre-trial settlement efforts when awarding costs. In Quebec, the Civil Code (CCQ art. 1594) establishes the mise en demeure as a formal demand that is considered a practical prerequisite before commencing proceedings.

The letter also plays a critical role in relation to limitation periods. Under Ontario's Limitations Act, 2002 (S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B), the basic limitation period is two years from the date of discovery. British Columbia's Limitation Act (SBC 2012, c. 13) and Alberta's Limitations Act (RSA 2000, c. L-12) impose similar two-year periods. Quebec's Civil Code prescribes a three-year prescription period for most personal actions under CCQ art. 2925. Sending a letter of intent to sue creates a documented record of the dispute and the claimant's intention to pursue legal remedies, which can be important evidence in establishing when the claim was discovered and asserted.

A Canadian Letter of Intent to Sue is needed when informal negotiations have failed to resolve a dispute and the aggrieved party is prepared to commence legal proceedings but wishes to give the other party one final opportunity to settle. This is a common step in many types of civil disputes across Canada, from consumer complaints and contractual disagreements to property disputes and personal injury claims.

The most frequent scenario involves breach of contract disputes. When a contractor in Toronto fails to complete renovations as agreed, when a supplier in Vancouver delivers defective goods, or when a business partner in Calgary fails to honour their financial commitments, the injured party sends a letter of intent to sue after earlier informal communications and demand letters have gone unanswered or been refused. The letter formally escalates the dispute and puts the recipient on notice that court proceedings are imminent.

Property and real estate disputes also frequently require a letter of intent to sue. Boundary disputes between neighbouring property owners, disagreements over the sale or purchase of real property, disputes arising from construction defects or renovation work, and disagreements between co-owners or business partners about property interests all may reach a stage where a formal letter of intent is necessary to move the matter toward resolution or litigation.

Consumer disputes, debt collection matters, employment disputes (such as wrongful dismissal claims), and personal injury claims also commonly involve a letter of intent to sue. In employment law, the letter may reference the applicable provincial employment standards legislation and common law notice requirements. For personal injury claims, the letter documents the injuries, treatment, and damages, and references the applicable limitation period. In all cases, the letter serves the dual purpose of giving the recipient a final opportunity to settle while creating a documented record of the plaintiff's reasonable pre-litigation efforts that will be viewed favourably by the court.

An effective Canadian Letter of Intent to Sue must clearly identify both parties with their full legal names and current addresses, including province and postal code. For corporations, use the exact legal name as registered with the applicable provincial corporate registry. For individuals, use the name as it appears on government-issued identification. The letter should be addressed using an appropriate salutation and sent by a method providing proof of delivery, such as Canada Post registered mail with signature confirmation.

The body of the letter must describe the dispute with sufficient specificity to put the recipient on clear notice of the claims being asserted. State the factual basis for the dispute, including relevant dates, events, and the specific actions or omissions that caused harm. If the dispute involves a breach of contract, identify the contract, the specific provisions breached, and the damages suffered. If it involves a tort claim, describe the duty of care owed, the breach of that duty, and the resulting injuries or losses.

The demands for resolution should be stated clearly and specifically. Whether the sender seeks financial restitution, specific performance, access to property, confirmation of ownership interests, or participation in alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration, these demands must be articulated so the recipient understands exactly what is required to avoid litigation. Set a specific and reasonable response deadline, typically 10 to 30 calendar days from the date of the letter, and state that failure to respond satisfactorily by the deadline will result in the commencement of legal proceedings.

If applicable, reference the specific Canadian statutes, regulations, or common law principles that the recipient has violated. Include the governing law clause specifying the province whose laws apply to the dispute. If enclosing supporting documentation such as contracts, correspondence, photographs, or financial records, list these documents. The letter must be dated and signed by the sender. Sending a copy of the letter to one's own lawyer is advisable, as it demonstrates that the threat of litigation is serious and that the sender has obtained legal counsel.