[twobjshelbys]

I don't know how the courts work in Canada on these kinds of things but since the OP is in Canada he is at least in the same country. In the US it would be too much for small claims court, so you'd have to decide if the legal fees would be worth recovering it from someone who probably doesn't have any money. You might end up with a judgement or lien but after the legal fees probably only 1/2 of your original investment.