Charter adopted
The Charter of the French Language establishes French as Québec’s official language and sets rules for work, commerce, business and public communications.
Québec French language support
Prepare your business communications for Québec.
Bill 96 strengthened Québec’s French-language requirements. Able Translations helps organizations identify, translate, adapt and quality-check the content their customers, employees and partners need in Québec French.
Able provides language services and practical content support. We do not provide legal advice or certify legal compliance. Information last reviewed October 25, 2026.
What is Bill 96?
A major update to Québec’s French-language framework.
Bill 96 is the common name for the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, sanctioned on June 1, 2022. It amended the Charter of the French Language, often called Bill 101, and reinforced French as Québec’s official and common language.
For businesses, the practical impact can extend across customer service, websites and commercial publications, contracts, workplace communications, product information, packaging, signage and the francization process.
Key dates
Bill 96 took effect in stages.
A dated timeline helps organizations separate long-standing Charter obligations from newer measures. Always confirm the current consolidated law before acting.
Bill 96 sanctioned
The Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec becomes law and amends the Charter.
Contract measures
French-first requirements take effect for many contracts of adhesion and related documents, subject to exceptions.
Additional business measures
Francization registration extends to businesses with 25 or more Québec employees, while new product and exterior-sign rules take effect.
Who should pay attention?
Bill 96 can matter beyond a Québec head office.
Organizations should consider the people they employ, the customers they serve, the content they publish and the contracts or public bodies they work with.
Québec employers
Review workplace communications, employment documents, job postings, training materials and francization responsibilities.
Businesses serving Québec
Review websites, e-commerce, customer communications, sales documents and support materials intended for Québec customers.
Manufacturers and retailers
Review packaging, labels, instructions, warranties, product descriptions, displays and exterior signage.
Public-sector suppliers
Review tender, contract, permit, subsidy and government-facing content with legal counsel and the relevant authority.
A practical content review
Six areas organizations should examine
The exact legal requirements depend on the organization, the content and how it is used. These are common areas where high-quality Québec French language support may be needed.
Websites and customer information
Consumers have the right to be informed and served in French. Commercial publications, including website content, should be reviewed for appropriate French availability and quality.
Contracts and related documents
Since June 1, 2023, many contracts of adhesion must be provided in French before a party may choose to be bound by a version in another language. Exceptions can apply.
Workplace communications
Employment documents, written communications, job postings, training and other workplace materials may need to be available in French. Rules also address when another-language requirement may be justified for a job.
Products, packaging and instructions
French requirements can affect product inscriptions, packaging, labels, directions, descriptive wording and generic terms associated with trademarks.
Public signs and advertising
French must be present in public signs and commercial advertising. Since June 1, 2025, additional prominence rules apply to certain non-French trademarks and business names visible from outside a location.
Francization and public contracts
Businesses employing 25 or more people in Québec for six months must register with the OQLF and begin a francization process. Proof of participation may also matter for Québec public contracts and subsidies.
Content inventory checklist
Find the French-language gaps before they become urgent.
A complete inventory is often the most useful first step. The legal requirement for each item should be confirmed for the organization’s circumstances.
Customer and sales content
- Websites, mobile applications and e-commerce
- Brochures, catalogues and social media
- Quotes, purchase orders, invoices and receipts
- Customer support, warranties and notices
Workplace content
- Job offers, applications and employment agreements
- Policies, handbooks and internal notices
- Training, safety and software instructions
- Performance, transfer and termination documents
Products and physical locations
- Packaging, labels and product inscriptions
- Directions for use and safety information
- Generic or descriptive wording near trademarks
- Storefront, public signs and advertising
Contracts and official documents
- Contracts of adhesion and related documents
- Government, tender and public-sector materials
- Registry, court or property documents identified by counsel
- Documents requiring a specific form of translation
How Able can help
From content inventory to finished Québec French.
A focused language-readiness process helps organizations find gaps, set priorities and maintain consistent French communications.
Inventory
Map customer, workplace, legal, product and digital content that may require French.
Prioritize
Organize content by audience, business risk, publication date and operational need.
Translate
Use Canadian and Québec French language professionals suited to the subject matter.
Review
Apply terminology, linguistic quality and consistency checks before publication.
Maintain
Coordinate updates as websites, policies, products, forms and regulations change.
Language expertise and legal review work together.
Able can translate and adapt the content identified by your organization or legal counsel. When a question requires interpretation of the law, we recommend confirming the requirement with qualified Québec legal counsel.
A focused Québec French practice
Trusted language support for Québec-facing content
Our approach is designed around documented processes, specialist language professionals and current information, without replacing legal advice.
Québec French specialists
Maintain a vetted team of Québec-based translators, revisers and terminology specialists for legal, workplace, marketing, product and digital content.
Legal collaboration
Establish a referral or review relationship with Québec counsel so clients can separate legal interpretation from language production.
Structured intake
Use a Bill 96 content checklist covering audience, channel, document type, source language, update frequency and required legal review.
Ongoing education
Review OQLF and Québec government updates quarterly, train coordinators and publish dated guidance that links to official sources.
Frequently asked questions
Bill 96 translation support
Does every business have the same obligations?
No. Requirements can depend on factors including the business activity, audience, document type, number of employees in Québec and how the content is distributed. Legal counsel or the OQLF should confirm how the law applies to a specific organization.
Can Able certify that our business is compliant?
No. Able can provide translation, localization, terminology management and linguistic review. Compliance certification and legal opinions should come from the appropriate authority or qualified legal counsel.
What can Able review for Québec French?
Websites, customer communications, forms, workplace documents, contracts supplied for translation, product information, packaging text, instructions, signage, advertising and other business content.
Is Québec French different from French used elsewhere?
Yes. Terminology, style, cultural expectations and some legal or commercial language vary by market. Québec-facing content should be written or adapted for its intended audience rather than treated as generic international French.
Does Bill 96 matter to a company outside Québec?
It can. An organization may need to review its obligations if it offers goods or services in Québec, employs people there, contracts with Québec entities or publishes content for a Québec audience. The answer is fact-specific, so legal counsel or the OQLF should confirm applicability.
Is automated translation enough for Québec-facing business content?
Automated tools can assist some workflows, but business content still needs appropriate privacy safeguards, Québec terminology, subject-matter knowledge and human quality review. Higher-risk legal, safety, employment and public-facing materials deserve particular care.
When is a certified translation required?
Some court, registry, property or official processes may require a certified translation or a specific declaration. Requirements vary by document and receiving authority. Confirm the exact format with legal counsel or the authority before ordering the translation.
Read the official sources
Québec law and government guidance
These primary sources let readers check the current wording, effective dates and official guidance directly.
Charter of the French LanguageCurrent consolidated official text on LégisQuébec.
Bill 96 as sanctionedThe official 2022 Act respecting French, in PDF format.
Commerce and business regulationCurrent regulation covering products, commercial publications and signs.
Gazette officielle, June 26, 2024Official publication of the regulation amending commerce-and-business rules. French.
OQLF legislative changesPlain-language summaries organized by business topic and effective date.
OQLF business francizationRegistration and francization information for businesses operating in Québec.
Official sources and qualified legal advice take precedence over this general overview. Links open on Québec government websites.
Québec French support