Quebec is unique in that it recognizes french as its sole official language. The language laws of quebec readings quebec history. Its amazing how much people dont understand those laws. This is especially helpful with public signage, retail packaging and other materials for the public which can be costly to replace.
Enforcement is generally limited to individuals and companies with a place of business in quebec, which means local resellers, distributors, and sales representatives involved in the marketing or sale of noncompliant products are the. Louise marchand, president of the oqlf, told the toronto star newspaper on august 30, 2011, that the office intends to target large nonresident stores that are entering the quebec market but are not compliant with the language laws. What you should know about language regulations in quebec, canada. More recently, the 2016 census figures related to language in canada sparked discussion around the future of the french language and related policy. On october 19, 2010, the quebec national assembly adopted bill 115 an act following upon the court decisions on the language of instruction the act. Language law exemptions enjoyed by 54 quebec companies ctv news. Quebec s charter of the french language sets out detailed rules that regulate among other things the language of. New french language rules for outdoor signage coming to quebec.
Rules surrounding french wording on signage, put in place in 2016, will have to be followed by all businesses by november 2019. Language, politics and the law at issue again as quebecs. Changes to quebec s sign laws that were announced in may will go into effect nov. What you should know about language regulations in quebec.
Oct 22, 2012 some quebec stores head to court over language laws. Quebec language watchdog tells lachute hospital its. In unilingual regions the language of work is that which predominates in the region where an office is located. An inscription on a cultural or educational product such as a book, magazine, publication, disk, film or tape, or on a nonpromotional greeting card, appointment book or calendar, may be. I am aware that local laws exist in quebec which protect workers rights there to work in french. In another step towards implementing french language signage rules, the government of quebec has announced that modifications to the. Language law exemptions enjoyed by 54 quebec companies. One of the most widely used exceptions to the charter of the french language the charter requirements for public signs and posters and commercial advertising is the englishonly. Provincial desire for the official language act came after the repeal of bill 63.
In addition to the bilingual labelling laws that apply to products sold throughout the country, loi 101 has created. On december 5, 2012, the parti quebecois, the ruling party forming quebecs minority government, introduced bill 14 to the quebec national assembly, entitled an act to amend the charter of the french language, the charter of rights and freedoms and other laws the bill. Quebec courts examine the use of english on signs and websites dozens of small businesses are challenging the quebec governments decision to fine them for violating the provinces. Last may we wrote about upcoming amendments to the charter of the french language regarding signage in french and trademarks. By michelle nelles, kevin tuohy, genevieve bertrand and manpreet singh.
What you need to know about doing business in french in quebec. Another language may be added provided french is markedly predominant, meaning that the french text is to have a much greater visual impact than the text in the other. Your products and services need french labels and marketing materials. Quebec laws are published in english as well as in french. Quebec language laws videos and latest news articles.
Loi 101, is a law in the province of quebec in canada defining french, the language of the majority of the population, as the official language of the provincial government. Employees also have the right to use tools like computer software in french. Some quebec stores head to court over language laws. Montreal lawyer takes new approach in bid to overturn quebec language laws. You can read about the new rules in our previous article. The quebec government is amending its language laws to ensure that french is featured on all outdoor signs and storefronts. Other rules apply to federal institutions see sections below. Montreal lawyer takes new approach in bid to overturn quebec.
It publicly announced its fall 2011 campaign to enhance the visibility of french on signage in quebec. We also have extensive knowledge of quebec language laws and can help business successfully navigate the complexities of these laws. It forced me to actually go read the legal text, which most native born quebeckers have probably never done. Quebec to amend language laws to require french on all. You can speak anything at home, on the street and so on. What are the legal requirements for french signage in quebec. Translation obligations in a multilingual country like canada. Judgments by courts are made available in either the official language or in english upon request by one of the parties. Voted most innovative law firm in canada in 2015 and 2016, legal logik offers legal services for the modern era with fixedpricing, innovative online service packages and a team of industry. Bulletin fines increased and penal provisions reinforced. Quebecs charter of the french language sets out detailed rules that regulate among. Computer software sold or leased in quebec must be available in french. Quebec courts examine the use of english on signs and websites dozens of small businesses are challenging the quebec governments decision to fine them for violating the provinces language law by.
Before the charter was passed, quebec was a bilingual providence which had both english and french as its official languages. The proposed amendments to the charter mainly target semi. In fact, on tuesday, the local government proposed a change to the provinces rules on company signage more on this. Quebec attorney general, 1988 2 scr 790, as well as one precedent from the court of appeal, entreprises w. Computer software including game software and operating systems. Apr 20, 20 quebec some quebec companies dodge the stringent rules of quebecs language laws by simply asking the provincial government for an exemption. An inscription on a product may be exclusively in a language other than. French must be included on all forms of labels and communication.
To summarize, businesses operating in quebec are required to add french words to their nonfrench trademarks on outdoor signage. In those cases, it was decided that requiring the joint or predominant use of french infringed upon freedom of expression in a way. Another language may be added provided french is markedly predominant, meaning that the french text is to have a much greater visual impact than the text in the other language regulation defining the scope of the expression markedly predominant for the purposes of the charter of the french language, c. To learn more about the language used for public signs and advertising, visit the. Englishonly websites in quebec in order to comply with the provinces language laws. The language rules affect businesses, government and schools in quebec as all. The regulations as previously reported govern the use of the french language on signage in quebec, and require that all public displays featuring a nonfrench trademark must include a sufficient presence of french by adding a generic french term, slogan or description of the products or services of the business, in a legible manner. A recent, lengthy decision gives interesting guidance on quebec language legislation as to the rules applicable to the predominance of french, the use of trademarks on signs and in. Workers cant be fired or refused a job just because they dont know english or another language well enough. With expertise in translation, localization, and creative services in over 100 languages, venga partners with clients to help them communicate globally and support their global ambitions. What are the legal requirements for french signage in. In quebec, for example, all workers have the right to work in french and all work tools, such as computer software, must be made available in french.
Language, politics and the law at issue again as quebecs bill 101 heads back to court by stephen neil november 20, 2012 an interesting dispute is afoot in the province of quebec that. In addition to the bilingual labelling laws that apply to products sold throughout the country, loi 101 has created additional requirements for products sold in the province of quebec. Louise marchand, president of the oqlf, told the toronto star newspaper. Language laws for business in montreal and quebec arianne. So much has been written, spoken about and argued over concerning quebecs language laws bill 101 that.
The only exception is if the job has to be done in another language. Order in council respecting the application of section 86. Rules for all businesses any person or company that sells products or services in quebec has to follow the language requirements of the charter. The passing of bill 63 was instrumental in the defeat of the union nationale government at the polls. The proposed changes would help bolster bill 101 the legislation. The rules will require quebec businesses to add french to their outdoor signage without altering registered trademark names. The court also ruled that same year bill 101s rejection of english storefront signage was a violation of freedom of speech. Quebec courts examine the use of english on signs and. Signage regulations in quebec state that brands doing business in quebec must have french wording to accompany their brand name, if the latter is in english. Language laws and doing business in quebec educaloi. However, institutions having offices both in quebec and elsewhere must give english and french comparable treatment as minority languages if they decide to provide their employees with any work. Persons may address courts of law in either french or english. Until now, businesses with trademarked brand names in english such as best buy didnt have to use french signage due to a loophole in bill 101, quebec s french language law, the national post.
Montreal lawyer takes new approach in bid to overturn. Every judgment rendered by a court of justice and every decision rendered by a body discharging quasijudicial functions shall, at the request of one of the parties, be translated into french or english, as the case may be, by the civil administration bound to bear the cost of operating such court or body. Quebecs new signage laws comes into force on november 24. What you should know about language regulations in quebec, canada french is the official language of quebec and its government and law, as well as the normal and everyday language. Laws and language in quebec the principles and means of quebecs language policy by marc chevrier direction des communications ministere des relations internationales february 1997 this study explains why quebec legislators have been led to protect the french language in quebec and gives a brief history of. As part of the process of internationalizing the application, which of the following are required by that law, if any. New frenchlanguage rules for outdoor signage coming to quebec.
C11 charter of the french language gouvernement du quebec. Whats interesting is that in the early 1980s there was a strong movement towards compliance with the. Aug 16, 2018 its amazing how much people dont understand those laws. An update on frenchlanguage requirements in quebec, canada. New frenchlanguage rules for outdoor signage coming to. On october 19, 2010, the quebec national assembly adopted bill 115 an act following upon the court decisions on the language of instruction the act amending the charter of the french language charter. Passed in 1974, the charter of the french language also known as bill 101 or loi 101 made french the sole official language of quebec. Mar 30, 2017 on november 4, 2016, the quebec government announced new regulations amending the rules under the charter of the french language charter and requiring public signage that displays english trademarks to also include a frenchlanguage description of the business or other sufficient presence of french. Until now, businesses with trademarked brand names in english such as best buy didnt have to use french signage due to a loophole in bill 101, quebecs french language law, the national. The civil administration shall use only french in signs and posters, except where.
May 03, 2016 the quebec government is amending its language laws to ensure that french is featured on all outdoor signs and storefronts. Changes to quebecs sign laws that were announced in may will go into effect nov. In another step towards implementing french language signage rules, the government of quebec has announced that modifications to the regulation respecting the language of commerce and business of the charter of the french language the regulation which have been in effect since november 24, 2016. The charter, which makes french the official language of quebec, requires the use of french in connection with the conduct of business in. Canadian french translation services mj translation inc. The charter has more rules for large businesses and the quebec civil service than for small businesses. However, you must not become an assimilating presence by forcing your employees to speak english when there is no good and imperat. Court interprets quebec french language sign requirements.
1139 319 544 544 1268 323 182 279 1142 213 288 1248 746 364 493 945 632 1116 921 1373 274 1058 1369 610 231 1120 913 506 1184 394 1037 279 837 509 1304 1329 1352 1292 1266 751 931 502 762 950 227 771 1206