The notarial profession in Québec is currently facing several challenges, including that of the financial situation of many of its members. A study conducted among notaries in the Outaouais region reveals that although, in general, notaries recognize that there is a price war happening, they do not necessarily agree on its causes, their capacity to address it, or the most effective ways to do so. While the traditional image of the notary as a professional and public official remains prominent, it now competes with another, more entrepreneurial view of the notary as a service provider in a competitive market. This implies that the notarial profession is currently going through a transition period that could involve a shift towards new business models.
