Small claims judges have wide latitude since the proceedings are more informal. You could hire a lawyer to file the papers, and include his/her fees as part of of your claim. In Ontario there is a cap as to what a lawyer can charge you. Ontario courts allow claims up to 25K, but realistically you can ask for reasonable damages, expenses and lost wages. The suggestion to file across the river in Quebec is worth thinking about, Airlines have fared poorly before the Quebec courts, the Jetsgo decision comes to mind. You can file in Hull, you do not have to file in Montreal. Filling in Montreal they might actually show up.