Planning Q trip #2 for early this June. Only other was late last September where we self-permitted. I've asked both my young adult kids to join, and told them they're both welcome to bring another person. Unsurprisingly to me, there's a lot of squishiness at this stage as to how many of us there'll end up being. I want to secure our permit now though. Can I apply today, indicate there'll be five of us, then adjust down if necessary at the time I pick up the permit - which I suspect will be in Atikokan?

YEP

I also believe you could reserve a permit and add campers at the permit pickup.
The reservation fee is $100 (partially refunded or applied against actual cost) irregardless of how many campers, if memory serves me???

butthead

Yes, Sir. You just don't want to change your date because you may not get the permit and you have to pay to cancel the old permit.

GraniteCliffs: "Yes, Sir. You just don't want to change your date because you may not get the permit and you have to pay to cancel the old permit."

Do they give you a grace day due to weather or inability to pick up permit in time?

They will make allowances if you call them from the road. I had a mechanical breakdown that caused our party to be two days late. I kept them informed with updates and they reissued our permit upon arrival. They also make allowances for genuine weather delays. They resist making changes ‘just because...’.

and if you get your permit from an outfitter in canada, they have access to the resident permits. so if there are no non resident permits, you may be able to have them secure your permit for you

If you check the Q website the cancellation costs are listed. They get pretty steep if you pull the plug or change the date at the last minute, absent circumstances noted above.

Thanks very much for the help, all!