Bill 96 in Quebec:
A Practical Guide for Businesses
Description
Bill 96 imposes new obligations on businesses to protect and promote the use of French, affecting all aspects of commercial and administrative relations. This reform particularly impacts businesses and employers in Quebec, including those employing foreign workers. The goal is to ensure the right of Quebec citizens to live and work in French. In this article, we’ll analyze the impact of Bill 96 on businesses and provide practical solutions for compliance, including how FrancoFlex, our AI-driven French learning platform, helps foreign workers adapt by offering personalized language learning.
Bill 96: Strengthening Language Rules
Adopted in May 2021, Bill 96 seeks to reinforce the presence of French in Quebec businesses while granting new powers to the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
Unlike previous legislation, this reform introduces stricter control mechanisms, including orders in cases of non-compliance, and even civil remedies. Here are some key dates and their implications
2022: Changes related to workplace language, written communication, and internal documentation.
2023: Administrative contracts and government communications must be in French.
2025: Trademarks and public signage must prioritize French.
2. Language of Administration and Contracts
Public administration and government bodies are subject to even stricter rules. Since 2023, all contracts and government communications must be exclusively in French. This has created a growing demand for translation and French writing services for companies looking to do business with these entities.
3. Francization Certification for Companies with 25+ Employees
Another significant requirement applies to companies with 25 or more employees in Quebec. As of June 2025, these companies must register with the OQLF and submit an analysis of their linguistic situation. If French is not widely used within the company, steps must be taken to address this. This requirement applies to companies with 25 employees in Quebec, not globally, meaning that an international company must comply as soon as it meets this employee threshold in Quebec.
The company must then obtain a francization certificate, which must be kept up to date. Every three years, a report detailing the company’s linguistic situation must be submitted to the OQLF. Additionally, companies with over 100 employees must create a joint francization committee composed of representatives from both management and employees.
Obligations for Businesses
1. Language of Commerce and Business
Any business operating in Quebec must now ensure that its commercial and administrative communications comply with the new language requirements. Brochures, catalogs, websites, and contracts must be available in French, equivalent to any other language used. For public signage and trademarks, French must be predominant, meaning it must be visually more prominent than any other language.
For example, a website for an international company operating in Quebec must have a French version that can be accessed independently without referring to the English version. The use of automatic translation technology is insufficient; the quality and accuracy of the French content are paramount.
Impact on Businesses and Practices
1. Risks and Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to meet the requirements of Bill 96 can result in significant penalties for businesses. Fines have increased, ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 for a first offense. Additionally, businesses may be excluded from contracts and grants with public and governmental organizations. If a company continues to violate the law, it may even face criminal prosecution.
One key aspect to note is the risk of nullifying documents. An employee or client can contest a contract or document written in English if there is no French equivalent, rendering the document invalid.
2. Analyzing Linguistic Needs for Bilingualism
Companies must now reasonably justify the need for English proficiency in certain roles. This analysis must be well-documented and explained. This means businesses need to demonstrate that the use of English is essential for daily communications or interactions with English-speaking clients and cannot be avoided.
3. Impact on Foreign Workers
Bill 96 mandates that foreign workers must take French courses to fully integrate. However, in some cases, this can present challenges, particularly for team meetings or oral communications. Although the charter does not explicitly regulate the language of verbal communication, a company that does not make sufficient efforts to promote French may face complaints.
At FrancoFlex, we help businesses overcome these challenges through personalized conversational AI that enables employees to learn and practice French at their own pace and in their professional context.
Conclusion: Preparing Businesses for Quebec’s Linguistic Future
Bill 96 represents a turning point for businesses operating in Quebec. While it introduces new challenges, particularly in terms of compliance and language management, it also offers an opportunity to strengthen employee integration and better serve French-speaking customers. By using tools like FrancoFlex for French language learning and implementing effective francization measures, businesses can not only comply with the law but also leverage these changes to stand out in a market increasingly focused on language sensitivity.
To Do by June 2025 to be compliant with Bill 96
Businesses with 25 or more employees in Quebec over a six-month period must register with the Office québécois de la langue française, no later than six months after this period (as per Article 139 of the Charter of the French Language). A grace period is provided for companies with 25 to 49 employees, allowing them until June 1, 2025, to register.
Steps in the Process:
- Business registration with the Office.
- Linguistic assessment by the Office.
- Implementation of a French language program (if the business is not compliant).
- Obtaining permanent French certification.
Recommended resources
| Category | Companies | Links |
| Translating content | Language services | |
| Translating contracts | Lawyer firms | |
| Traduction simultanée Interprétation en ligne ou en personne | Online, hybridismes and on-site simultaneous interpretation | https://americainterpretation.com |
| Language learning for employees Our platform! | FrancoFlex for businesses and their employees Madame A’s for children | francoflex.com madameas.com |
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