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What Is Bill 96? Understanding Trademark Rules and the Official and Common Language of Québec

Learn what Bill 96 means for businesses, trademarks, commercial signage, contracts, and French language requirements in Québec.

Organizing commercial documents, contracts, and business records for Québec Bill 96 language compliance.

Bill 96 is Québec's major language law reform that strengthened the position of French as the official and common language of Québec. Officially known as the Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec, the legislation amended the Charter of the French Language and introduced new obligations affecting businesses, employers, trademark owners, and organizations operating within the province. Since becoming law on June 1, 2022, Bill 96 has continued to shape how companies communicate with customers, employees, and government authorities.

Public signs and posters, commercial advertising, trademarks on goods, employment contracts, workplace interactions, and consumer documentation are just a few of the many business operations that are impacted by the law. Companies that don't speak French must carefully consider whether the new regulations apply to their materials and whether a French translation is necessary.

In this article, I explain what Bill 96 is, why it was introduced, how it modified the Charter of the French Language, the key compliance deadlines businesses should know, and when certified translations may be needed to support Quebec language requirements.

If you need certified translations, notarization, apostille, or legalization services for documents used in Québec or elsewhere in Canada, I can help ensure they are prepared correctly and accepted by the appropriate authorities. Contact me for a quote.

What Is Bill 96? New Rules Under the Charter of the French Language

Reviewing Bill 96 requirements and Québec French language compliance obligations for businesses, trademarks, and commercial documents.

The Quebec government has tabled Bill 96, a piece of legislation aimed at promoting French usage across the province. The Charter of the French Language, which is Quebec's main language law, was modified by the law, which went into effect on June 1, 2022.

The purpose of Bill 96 is to reinforce French as the common language of Québec in areas such as:

The Bill 96 applies to many businesses operating in Québec, including companies headquartered elsewhere that sell products or services within the province. Since Bill 96 became law, businesses have had to review their French language requirements for signage, commercial advertising, trademarks, product packaging, and employment-related documents. Several provisions came into force between 2022 and 2025, with additional compliance measures extending toward 2027.

Moreover, the new rules affect situations where a language other than French appears on public signs and posters, product labels, contracts, or commercial materials. In many cases, businesses must ensure that French text is available, sufficiently visible, and complies with the Regulation Respecting the Language of Commerce and Business. Organizations that don't comply with these standards risk being scrutinized by the OQLF and deemed non-compliant.

Why Was Bill 96 Introduced? Summary of the Main Objectives

According to the Government of Quebec, Bill 96 was introduced to strengthen protections for the French language and reinforce its status as the official and common language of Québec. The legislation aims to promote the use of French in public life, commercial activities, workplaces, and consumer communications throughout the province.

The law reflects Québec's long-standing efforts to preserve and promote French language usage while establishing clearer obligations for businesses and organizations. As a summary of the main objectives, Bill 96 seeks to ensure that French remains the primary language used in commerce, employment, public signage, and customer interactions, while strengthening the protections set out in the Charter of the French Language.

How Bill 96 Modified the Charter of the French Language

Preparing employment documents and contracts to meet Quebec's French language requirements under Bill 96.

Bill 96 modified numerous provisions within the Charter of the French Language. These amendments, introduced by the Government of Quebec, expanded existing obligations and introduced new compliance requirements for businesses, including rules affecting French text, workplace communications, and commercial materials that may need to be accompanied by terms in French.

The legislation affects:

Businesses that previously relied heavily on English-language materials often need to review whether French versions must now be available.

The Official and Common Language of Québec

The recognition of French as the official and common language of Québec is one of the fundamental tenets of the legislation. The law's standards for employment, commerce, and communication are based on this premise, which also affects how many compliance duties are interpreted.

Because of this, companies that operate in Québec might have to make sure that specific messages, papers, and business materials are available in French, even if there is a counterpart in another language. The approach also influences the evaluation of commercial advertising, public signage, and product inscriptions, especially when French material needs to be prioritized over content in another language. To meet Québec's linguistic standards, product information, a term or description, or words defining a product's features may occasionally need to appear in French or be accompanied by French keywords.

Bill 96 Compliance Deadlines: When Key Requirements Came Into Force

Timeline illustrating key Bill 96 implementation dates from 2022 through 2027.

Bill 96 was implemented gradually rather than all at once.

June 1, 2022

On June 1, 2022, the Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec, was signed into law. Several of its provisions went into effect right away. Many employment-related paperwork, client correspondence, and commercial materials have to be supplied by businesses in French. Additionally, employers must uphold employees' rights to do business in French and provide justification for any language proficiency requirements. Stricter French language standards were imposed on commercial advertising, public signs and posters, and product-related information. Additionally, services provided in a different language had to be delivered on conditions that were at least as advantageous as those provided in French.

June 2023

June 2023 saw the implementation of new requirements pertaining to contracts, workplace procedures, and corporate communications. Contracts of adhesion, which often have to be made available in French before a version in another language can be issued, were one of the biggest modifications. Additionally, the law increased the criteria for francization for some companies doing business in Québec. In order to ensure conformity with the Charter of the French Language, organizations were supposed to keep examining their internal documentation and customer-facing products.

June 1, 2025

One of the most significant dates for Bill 96 compliance was June 1, 2025. Particularly for trademarks covered by the Trademarks Act, new regulations pertaining to trademarks, public signage, product labelling, and commercial advertising went into effect. Sometimes a generic name or description that appears only in a language other than French must also appear in French on the product or on a media that is permanently affixed to it. Businesses must also ensure that French is markedly predominant on certain signs visible to the public, with the French text receiving significantly greater prominence than text in another language.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Under Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language, some transition periods and compliance requirements are still in place until 2027. Companies should keep an eye out for developments from the OQLF and the Government of Québec, especially with regard to trademarks, commercial advertising, public signs and posters, and other French language obligations. The application of specific sections of the Regulation Respecting the Language of Commerce and Business, including circumstances in which French is noticeably prominent on signage and communications, was clarified by regulatory guidance released throughout 2024. Organizations should regularly examine their materials to prevent non-compliance and make sure they continue to respect Québec's French language standards, as enterprises are still accountable for continuous compliance.

Public Signs, Posters, and Commercial Advertising Requirements

Commercial signage subject to Québec's French language requirements under Bill 96.

One of the most visible aspects of Bill 96 involves public signs and posters and commercial advertising. The legislation requires businesses to give greater prominence to French in commercial communications.

Advertising Must Be in French

Commercial advertising must generally be available in French. While another language may also appear, French must satisfy specific visibility and prominence requirements.

French Must Be Markedly Predominant

The concept of "markedly predominant" plays an important role under Québec's language rules.

French must be significantly more visible than text in another language. Depending on the situation, this can involve:

For signs visible from outside premises, the space allotted to the French text may need to be substantially larger than the space allotted to the text in another language.

Public Signs Visible From Outside Premises

Storefront signs, exterior branding, and window displays receive particular scrutiny because they are visible to the public.

Businesses should ensure their signage complies with the Regulation Respecting the Language of Commerce and Business to avoid becoming non-compliant.

Bill 96, Trademarks, and Product Packaging

Consumer product packaging subject to Québec French language and trademark requirements under Bill 96.

Trademark compliance is one of the most complex areas affected by Bill 96.

Many business owners mistakenly assume that registered trademarks are completely exempt from Québec's language requirements. In reality, the rules are more nuanced.

Trademarks Appearing on Products

Trademarks appearing on products may qualify for specific exemptions. However, descriptive wording surrounding the trademark often remains subject to French language requirements.

Generic Terms and Product Descriptions

Words describing:

It may need to appear in French even when the trademark itself remains unchanged.

Corresponding French Version of a Trademark

There may be further factors to take into account if the trademark has a comparable French equivalent. Before depending on exclusions, businesses should carefully consider branding initiatives and trademark registrations.

Employment, Contracts, and Workplace Requirements

Employer reviewing French-language employment contracts and workplace documentation.

Bill 96 extends beyond marketing and branding. It also affects workplace communications and employment practices.

Conditions of Employment

Employers generally cannot require knowledge of a language other than French unless they can demonstrate that the requirement is necessary for the position.

Contracts of Adhesion

Standard-form agreements, commonly known as contracts of adhesion, must generally be made available in French before parties choose to use another language version.

Training Documents Produced by Employers

Training documents produced for employees may also need to be available in French.

Examples include:

Organizations should review their documentation to ensure compliance with applicable French language requirements.

Need certified translations before updating contracts, policies, product documentation, or commercial materials for Québec? I provide certified translations accepted throughout Canada, as well as notarization, apostille, and legalization services. Contact me for a quote.

Why Choose My Certified Translation Services?

Certified Canadian translator preparing French and English business documents for official use.

While I do not provide legal advice regarding Bill 96 compliance, I regularly assist businesses and individuals with certified translations for official, legal, commercial, immigration, and educational purposes. With more than 5,000 pages translated since 2012, I provide certified translations accepted across Canada, along with notarization, apostille, and legalization support when required.

The professional translation associations in Canada, such as ATIO, OTTIAQ, ATIA, STIBC, ATIS, ATIM, ATINS, and CTINB, have me as a certified member. I can assist you in making sure your translations are precise, expertly prepared, and approved by the appropriate authorities, whether you require contracts, product paperwork, business materials, or legal papers translated into French.

Prepare Your Business for Bill 96 Compliance

Any corporation conducting business in Québec must comprehend Bill 96. French language requirements for signs, commercial advertising, trademarks, employment, and consumer communications were greatly increased by the statute. Companies that don't comply might have to change their materials or face enforcement measures.

If your organization needs certified translations, notarization, apostille, or legalization services to support Québec business operations, I can help ensure that documents that need to be translated are prepared accurately and accepted by the relevant authorities.