Language learning in the workplace: which budgets you can use for your team's French learning classes in Quebec in 2025

Starting in 2025, Quebec businesses must comply with stricter French language laws under Bill 96. Companies with 25+ employees must meet francization requirements by June 1, 2025, or face fines up to $30,000 per day. To help, Quebec offers funding programs, tax credits, and mandatory training budgets to offset costs.

Key Takeaways:

• Government Funding: Covers 50–75% of training costs, including wages ($25/hour max) and materials.
• 1% Training Budget Law: Companies with payrolls over $2M must allocate 1% of payroll to training.
• Tax Credits: Claim up to $75,000 for training expenses.

Quick Overview:

Funding Source	Max Coverage	Key Requirements
Government Programs	50–75% of costs	OQLF registration, compliance with Bill 96
Workforce Training Measure	$25,000 (materials)	Quebec business registration
1% Training Budget	1% of payroll	Training plan and expense documentation
Tax Credits	Up to $75,000	Proof of expenses, OQLF compliance

By combining funding sources and using tools like Francoflex, businesses can meet compliance requirements while minimizing costs. Start planning now to avoid penalties and ensure your team is ready for 2025.

Quebec Government Funding for French Training

Available Government Programs

Quebec offers funding to support workplace French training through its Workforce Training Measure [7]. Here's a quick breakdown of the key funding options:

Program Type	Coverage Rate	Maximum Funding
General Training	Up to 50%	$100,000 per agreement
Special Cases	Up to 75%	$133,333 for new technology implementation
Digital Literacy	100% (includes salary coverage up to $25/hour)	-

Employees aged 16 and older can also access free French courses through various formats, including classroom sessions, online platforms, flexible schedules, and workplace-specific training [3].

Let’s move on to the steps for qualifying and applying for these funds.

How to Qualify and Apply

To access funding, companies need to submit the following documents:

Requirement	Details	Processing Time
Immigration Documentation	Proof of immigration status or individual reference number (e.g., CSQ, CAQ)	-
Tax Identification	Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Individual/Temporary Tax Number (ITN/TTN)	-
Application Submission	Complete an online application and register on the "Apprendre le français" platform for part-time courses	Up to 50 working days

First-time applicants can expect processing to take up to 50 working days [4][5].

Funding Limits and Coverage

Funding is designed to support both training costs and employee needs, complementing francization requirements:

• Training Costs: Covers up to 50% of expenses for instructors, materials, and subscriptions (e.g., Francoflex). In some cases, coverage increases to 75%.
• Employee Compensation: Offers salary coverage of up to $25 per hour for eligible programs.
• Additional Support: Includes childcare assistance at $9 per child for each qualifying session [8].

Businesses with 25 or more employees must comply with francization rules by June 1, 2025, to remain eligible for subsidies. Failure to comply may result in losing funding eligibility [6].

Company Training Budget Options

1% Training Budget Law

In Quebec, companies with payrolls exceeding $2 million are required to allocate at least 1% of their total payroll toward employee training programs [9].

Eligible Training Expenses	Details
Training Session Salaries	Wages paid to employees during training sessions
Instructor Costs	Payments for external trainers or internal staff conducting the training
Learning Materials	Subscriptions (including French language tools), textbooks, and digital resources
Infrastructure	Room rentals, equipment, and technical setup costs
Travel Expenses	Transportation and lodging costs related to training

You can also enhance your training efforts by tapping into professional development funds.

Professional Development Fund Usage

Boost your training budget by combining the mandatory 1% with additional professional development funds.

Documentation Requirements

• Keep records of training plans, attendance, expenses, and certifications.

Eligible Activities

• Training must be conducted by accredited institutions, professional orders, certified trainers, or approved digital platforms.

Budget Management

• If your company invests more than the required 1%, the excess can be rolled over to the next year [9].

"The Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, strengthens the mandate to use French in the province. Companies that do not comply with the statutory language requirements may not be awarded contracts or granted subsidies by the government of Québec" [1].

Consider using tools like Francoflex to improve French language training within your organization.

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Tax Benefits for Language Training

In addition to internal and government funding, tax credits can help ease the financial burden of French language training.

Language Training Tax Credits

Quebec provides tax credits to help cover training costs, including fees, materials, and wages. Businesses can claim up to $25,000 for materials and receive wage reimbursements capped at $25 per hour, with total support reaching $75,000.

Starting in 2025, wage calculations for these credits will align with the basic personal tax credit amount ($18,056 for 2024). Additionally, the previous wage limit of $83,333 per employee will no longer apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024 [10].

Tax Claim Process

Steps	Action	Details
1. Registration	Create an Arrima profile	Required for all training support requests
2. Needs Assessment	Review training needs with a MIFI consultant	Confirm eligibility
3. Service Request	Submit the French-language workplace training form	Specify training requirements
4. Documentation	Collect proof of expenses	Include eligible costs and attendance records

Under the Charter of the French Language, businesses in Quebec with 25 or more employees (over a continuous six-month period) must register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) [11].

Required Tax Documentation

Keep the following documents on hand to support your tax claims:

• Completed Form CO-1029.8.33.10 from a recognized educational institution [12]
• Detailed records of training expenses and materials
• Employee attendance logs and progress reports
• Proof of payment for all claimed expenses
• OQLF registration documentation, if applicable

For businesses using digital tools like Francoflex, ensure you maintain subscription records and usage reports. These platforms simplify compliance by offering automated tracking and documentation features.

Funding Options Overview

Looking at internal and tax funding, let's dive into external funding sources to help Quebec businesses plan their French training budgets for 2025. Below is a table summarizing the main options, providing a clear comparison to assist with budget decisions.

Funding Sources Comparison

Funding Source	Maximum Amount	Key Requirements	Coverage	Processing Time
Government Programs	Varies*	• At least 25 employees active for 6 months \n• OQLF registration \n• Francisation committee if needed	50–75% of eligible costs (training fees, materials, and employee wages)	4–6 weeks
Workforce Training Measure	$25,000 for materials \n$75,000 for wages	• Quebec business registration \n• Approved training provider	Wage reimbursement (up to $25/hour), teaching materials, and course fees	2–3 weeks
1% Training Budget	1% of annual payroll	• Documented training plan (as required under the 1% Training Budget Law)	Covers training expenses, including digital tools (like Francoflex) and instructor fees	Immediate fund access
Tax Credits	Varies based on eligible expenses	• Proper expense documentation and progress tracking	Applicable to expenses like training materials, course fees, and digital subscriptions	Annual tax cycle

*Note: Government program maximums vary by program and are assessed individually.

This table complements earlier discussions on internal budgets and tax incentives, offering a full view of funding options. For instance, the Workforce Training Measure can reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs, which is especially useful for companies adopting digital learning tools.

To make the most of these options, consider a blended approach:

• Combine government funds with internal budgets and tax credits for broader coverage.
• Mix traditional training methods with digital platforms.
• Keep detailed records of all expenses to ensure you maximize funding opportunities.

Budget Optimization Steps

Combining Funding Sources

Stretch your training budget by tapping into multiple funding options. Start with your mandatory 1% training budget, then add government funding programs like the Workforce Training Measure, which can cover up to 75% of eligible costs.

Here’s a handy breakdown:

Expense Category	Primary Funding Source	Additional Funding Option	Coverage Details
Digital Learning Tools	1% Training Budget	-	Fully covered under internal budgets
Employee Wages	Workforce Training Measure	1% Training Budget	Helps offset wages during training
Learning Materials	Government Programs	Company Budget as needed	Coverage depends on program eligibility
External Instructors	Government Programs	1% Training Budget	Partial funding based on approved guidelines

Once you’ve set up your funding plan, consider how AI tools can help cut costs while staying compliant.

AI Language Learning Tools

AI solutions are reshaping how companies approach training. Tools like Francoflex offer affordable, efficient alternatives to traditional methods. What makes them stand out?

• Scalable use for teams of 1 to 50,000 employees
• Progress tracking for OQLF certification
• Automated scheduling to reduce workplace disruptions
• Tailored learning paths based on individual roles and language needs

These tools can save time and money while ensuring employees meet language requirements.

Measuring Training Results

Optimizing your budget is just the first step - tracking the program’s impact is just as important. Use these key metrics to evaluate your language training ROI:

• Language Proficiency Metrics: Use standardized assessments to measure employees’ communication improvements.
• Compliance Tracking: Ensure you meet francization certification requirements. For example, by June 1, 2025, businesses with over 25 employees must submit formal documentation to Quebec's language office [2].
• Financial Impact Assessment: A well-executed language training program can deliver a 353% ROI [14]. Track reductions in translation costs, improved client satisfaction, faster issue resolution, and better employee retention.

Keep detailed records of all training activities for funding applications and compliance purposes. Regular reviews will help you adjust resources and get the most out of your budget.

Conclusion: Next Steps for Quebec Companies

Now that we've covered funding sources and budget options, it's time to map out the next steps for implementing HR initiatives effectively.

Overview of Funding Options

Funding Source	Coverage	Key Requirements
MIFI Programs	Covers eligible training costs	Must be a Quebec-registered business
Francisation Québec	French language training	For businesses with 5+ employees
Government Subsidies	Partial training cost funding	Must align with Bill 96 compliance

To make the most of these resources, HR teams should take the following actions.

Steps for HR Implementation

1. Evaluate Current Needs

   • Assess the organization's language training needs.
   • Document employees' current proficiency levels.
   • Highlight areas that require immediate attention.

2. Plan Your Budget

   • Set a training budget that incorporates available funding.
   • Allocate resources based on the initial assessment.
   • Include costs for ongoing evaluations in your plan.

3. Launch Training Programs

   • Use Francoflex's AI tools to create personalized learning paths.
   • Generate progress reports to meet OQLF certification standards.
   • Offer flexible scheduling to accommodate employees.
   • Ensure the program can scale as needed.

4. Manage Documentation

   • Update employment documents to meet French-language requirements by June 1, 2025.
   • Keep records of training milestones and certifications.
   • Monitor how funding is used and track overall progress.

"Measuring the ROI of corporate language training programs is essential for ensuring that investments in employee development deliver tangible benefits to the organization." - BridgeUniverse [13]