As of June 1, enterprises in Quebec that employ between 25 and 49 employees are subject to new requirements under the Charter of the French Language, as reformed by Bill 96.
Until now, only those enterprises that employed 50 or more employees were covered, with the obligation to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) and comply with the francization process.
It should be noted that the number of employees an enterprise has in Quebec determines whether it is subject to the charter’s language obligations.
This reform extends the application of these obligations to a larger number of enterprises while reaffirming the status of French as the normal and usual language of work, communication, commerce, and business.
The affected enterprises need to anticipate any necessary adjustments now to ensure a smooth, compliant transition while maintaining their operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Expanding the Francization Process
From now on, Quebec enterprises that employ between 25 and 49 employees will have to register with the OQLF within six months of becoming subject to the law.
They will then have to carry out an analysis of their linguistic situation to validate the use of French within their organization, in accordance with the requirements imposed by the OQLF.
Enterprises that employ 100 or more employees will also have to set up a joint francization committee, responsible for carrying out the linguistic analysis and overseeing the implementation of the required measures.
The francization certificate, issued by the OQLF, will attest to the company’s compliance with the charter’s requirements.
New Rules for Signage and Commercial Advertising
The reform also imposes stricter rules on public signage and commercial advertising. As of June 1, any message displayed in a place accessible to the public — be it a sign, shop window, vehicle, or any display visible from outdoors — will have to ensure the strong predominance of French.
This means that French text must occupy at least twice as much space as any other text and be equally or more legible, illuminated, and visible. In the case of dynamic displays (e.g., scrolling text), the French message must be displayed at least twice as long as any other message.
When a company name or trademark is wholly or partly in another language, it must be accompanied by an element in French (e.g., a generic descriptor, slogan, or descriptive element) in the same visual field, unless the display is not visible from outdoors. The French language should visually dominate the display.
Certain exceptions remain, notably for interior signage not visible from outdoors or on bollards bearing several company names; however, the company name must always include a generic description in French.
A Complex Business Context
Many Quebec enterprises, particularly in the technology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and international trade sectors, rely mainly on English because of their market, customers, or business partners.
In this context, rigorously reconciling the obligation to francize with operational imperatives calls for a strategic and pragmatic approach. A personalized assessment of the linguistic situation enables employers to identify risks, target intervention priorities, and plan measures adapted to the specific reality of each organization.
In this way, enterprises can avoid costly corrective measures following an intervention by the OQLF.
Francization: A Structured, Strategic Process
Compliance with the charter goes beyond simply translating documents; it requires that all communications — including signage, digital tools, and internal documentation — be primarily in French. The OQLF is actively monitoring this situation.
Failure to comply can result in significant financial penalties (from CA$3,000 to CA$30,000 per violation), corrective orders, and serious commercial consequences, including exclusion from certain government programs or public contracts.
In this context, many enterprises are choosing to seek guidance from professionals who specialize in francization to ensure that the new requirements are integrated harmoniously and sustainably into their operations.
Conclusion
The charter reform imposes new obligations on enterprises, requiring a structured approach, rigorous planning, and concerted mobilization.
Kevin Vincelette and Fatme Saleh are attorneys with BCF in Montreal. © 2025 BCF. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission of Lexology.
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