Reference guide
Quebec’s Charter of the French Language explained: what businesses need to know
In 2022, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, often called Bill 96, made sweeping changes to Quebec’s Charter of the French Language. Here is what applies to businesses, rule by rule, with key dates and official sources. Last updated October 23, 2026.
Summary
- The Charter applies to every business that sells, advertises or hires in Quebec, whatever its size.
- Products, signage, websites, contracts and workplace documents must be in French.
- Registering with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) only applies to companies with 25 or more employees in Quebec.
- Fines range from $3,000 to $30,000 per offence for a business, doubled for a second offence.
Key dates
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2022 | An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec receives assent and amends the Charter of the French Language. |
| June 1, 2023 | Contracts of adhesion: the French version must be provided first. |
| June 1, 2025 | OQLF registration for companies with 25 or more employees; generic and descriptive words in trademarks in French; markedly predominant French on signage visible from outside. |
| December 17, 2025 | Proof of the OQLF process required for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application in Quebec. |
| June 1, 2027 | End of the sell-through period for some products made before June 1, 2025. |
Who the Charter applies to
The Charter of the French Language applies to every business that sells, advertises or hires in Quebec, whatever its size and wherever its head office is. Only OQLF registration depends on the number of employees.
Products
Every inscription on a product, its container, its packaging and the documents supplied with it, including instructions and warranty certificates, must be in French. Another language may be added as long as it is not more prominent. A recognized trademark may stay in another language if no French version is registered, but since June 1, 2025 its generic or descriptive words must appear in French. Labelling review
Signage
Public signs and commercial advertising must be in French; another language may be added if French is markedly predominant. When a trademark in another language appears on a sign visible from outside a premises, the French text must take up at least twice as much space and be just as legible and permanently visible.
Websites and commercial materials
Catalogues, brochures, flyers, websites and commercial social media posts must be available in French, on terms at least as favourable as any other language. Website review
Contracts and invoices
Since June 1, 2023, the French version of a contract of adhesion must be provided first. Invoices, receipts and documents for consumers must be in French. Contracts and employment documents
Language of work
Job postings, individual employment contracts, documents on working conditions, training materials and written communications to staff must be drawn up in French. To require knowledge of another language, an employer must show the job needs it and that it took all reasonable means to avoid that requirement.
OQLF registration
Since June 1, 2025, a company that employs 25 or more people in Quebec for six months must register with the Office québécois de la langue française, then assess its language situation. A francization committee is required once you have 100 or more employees. OQLF documentation
Hiring foreign workers
Since December 17, 2025, a company with 25 or more employees must attach proof of its OQLF process to an LMIA application in Quebec. Hiring foreign workers
Penalties
For a business, fines under the Charter range from $3,000 to $30,000 per offence; they are doubled for a second offence and tripled after that. They are imposed by a court following penal proceedings. Other consequences often weigh more: a refused LMIA, a status check before a public contract or grant, or a complaint made public.
Glossary
- Registration certificate
- Issued by the OQLF to a company that has registered. If less than three months old, it can serve as proof for an LMIA application.
- Language assessment
- A picture of how French is used in the company, which the company submits to the OQLF after registering.
- Francization program
- A set of measures a company adopts and carries out when French is not in general use within it.
- Francization certificate
- Issued by the OQLF when French is in general use within the company.
- Francization committee
- A working group required in companies with 100 or more employees; the OQLF may also require one in a company with 25 to 99.
- Recognized trademark
- A trademark that is registered or established through use. It may appear in a language other than French if no French version is registered.
- Generic or descriptive word
- A word in a trademark that says what the product is or describes its features. Since June 1, 2025, it must appear in French.
- Markedly predominant
- French text has a much greater visual impact than text in another language. On signage visible from outside that includes a trademark in another language, it takes up at least twice as much space.
- Contract of adhesion
- A contract whose essential terms are set by one party and can’t be negotiated, such as online terms of sale.
- Commercial materials
- Catalogues, brochures, flyers, websites, commercial social media posts and similar documents offered to the public.
Official sources
- Charter of the French Language (LégisQuébec, English)
- Government of Quebec, business obligations (in French)
- OQLF, trademarks on products (in French)
- OQLF, companies with 25 to 49 employees (in French)
- Government of Quebec, hiring temporary foreign workers (in French)
- Government of Quebec, 2025-2026 complaints (in French)
This page provides general information. It is not legal advice. To find out what applies to your business, take the free self-assessment or write to us.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Bill 96” refer to?
It is the common name for An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, which was introduced as Bill 96 and received assent on June 1, 2022. It amended the Charter of the French Language, notably to strengthen the obligations of businesses. The Office québécois de la langue française uses the Act’s full title or refers to the reform of the Charter.
Does the Charter apply to small businesses?
Yes. Registration with the OQLF is only required once you have 25 or more employees, but the rules on products, signage, websites, contracts and language of work apply to every business, whatever its size.
Can we still use an English trademark?
Yes, if it is a recognized trademark and no French version is registered. Since June 1, 2025, however, its generic or descriptive words must appear in French, and signage visible from outside must include markedly predominant French text.
Tell us what you need
Describe your situation and let us know your deadline. We’ll reply with the service that fits, what it costs and how long it takes.