{"id":789,"date":"2025-06-06T04:24:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T02:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/?p=789"},"modified":"2025-06-27T22:15:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T20:15:57","slug":"bill-96-in-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/articles\/bill-96-in-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill 96 in Quebec : are you fully compliant ?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong><em data-start=\"413\" data-end=\"478\">How do you really comply with Bill 96 in Quebec?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;3_5,2_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|auto||auto||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||5px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bill 96 in Quebec<\/strong> introduces\u00a0<strong><span>strict new language requirement<\/span><\/strong> <strong>as of June 1, 2025 <\/strong>, <span>impacting how businesses communicate, market, recruit and operate, both locally and internationally. It represents a major shift in the <\/span><strong data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"657\">Charter of the French Language<\/strong><span>, also known as <\/span><em data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"683\">Bill 101<\/em><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/oedinatreu-avec-meilleurs-traducteurs-francais-anglais.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Bill 96 in Quebec &#8211; Language compliance for businesses&#8221; title_text=&#8221;oedinatreu-with-best-translators-french-english&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-28px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||1px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span>Why it matters<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span>As Quebec continues to attract Canadian and international businesses, compliance with Bill 96 in Quebec is now a <\/span><strong data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"843\">legal and strategic necessity<\/strong><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"821\" data-end=\"848\">\n<p data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"848\"><strong><a href=\"#loi96\">What is Law 96?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"851\" data-end=\"864\">\n<p data-start=\"853\" data-end=\"864\"><a href=\"#obligations\"><strong><span style=\"color: #e09900;\">Obligations<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"887\">\n<p data-start=\"869\" data-end=\"887\"><strong><a href=\"#qui?\">Who&#8217;s concerned?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"901\">\n<p data-start=\"892\" data-end=\"901\"><strong><a href=\"#sanctions\">Sanctions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"925\">\n<p data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"925\"><strong><a href=\"#how\">How to adapt?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"950\">\n<p data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"950\"><strong><a href=\"#Z\u00e8bre\">Accompagnement Z\u00e8bre<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;loi96&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">What is Bill 96?<\/h3>\n<p><span>Passed in 2022, <\/span><strong data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"957\">Bill 96 reinforces French as Quebec\u2019s only official language<\/strong><span>. It amends more than 20 existing laws, including the <\/span><strong data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1045\">Charter of the French Language<\/strong><span>, and applies to any business whose content or services are accessible to a Quebec-based audience\u2014even without a physical presence in the province.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1211\"><strong data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1208\">It affects<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1353\">\n<li data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1246\">\n<p data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1246\">Websites and digital platforms<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1247\" data-end=\"1285\">\n<p data-start=\"1249\" data-end=\"1285\">Legal and commercial documentation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1286\" data-end=\"1323\">\n<p data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1323\">HR, signage, and customer service<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1353\">\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1353\">Internal company operations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;obligations&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\">What are your obligations?<\/h3>\n<p><span>If your company targets Quebec (even passively) you\u2019re likely subject to the law. Key obligations include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u00a0A fully translated French version of your website and apps<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>French versions of contracts, terms and policies<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>French signage, HR documents and customer service<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u26a0\ufe0f <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">With <\/span><strong data-start=\"818\" data-end=\"843\" style=\"font-size: 18px;\">25+ employees in Quebec<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">, you must also :<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1793\">\n<p data-start=\"1725\" data-end=\"1793\">Register with the <em data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1791\">Office qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois de la langue fran\u00e7aise (OQLF)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1822\">\n<p data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"1822\">Undergo a language audit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"1889\">\n<p data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1889\">Establish a <em data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1851\">francization<\/em> program, with a committee if required<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul data-start=\"892\" data-end=\"1100\"><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;qui?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\">Who&#8217;s affected?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1921\" data-end=\"1940\">Bill 96 applies to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2084\">\n<li data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"1978\">\n<p data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1978\">Quebec-based SMEs (5+ employees)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"2021\">\n<p data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2021\">Canadian companies operating in Quebec<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2084\">\n<p data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2084\">Foreign companies marketing or selling in Quebec\u2014even online<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;sanctions&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\">What are the risks of Non-compliance?<\/h3>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2177\">Ministry of the French Language<\/strong> has expanded powers to audit and enforce. Sanctions may include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2347\">\n<li data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2265\">\n<p data-start=\"2246\" data-end=\"2265\">Substantial fines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2301\">\n<p data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2301\">Suspension of commercial rights<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2302\" data-end=\"2347\">\n<p data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2347\">Reputational damage and lost customer trust<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\"><\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;comment&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\">How to adapt strategically?<\/h3>\n<p><span>Complying with Bill 96 in Quebec is more than a legal checkbox, it\u2019s a <strong data-start=\"2450\" data-end=\"2492\">cultural and linguistic transformation<\/strong>.<br data-start=\"2493\" data-end=\"2496\" \/>We recommend:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span>Conducting a language and content audit<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Translating and localizing your websites, HR, marketing, and sales tools<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Training your teams on compliance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Implementing long-term internal processes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Want to learn more? Read our article on <\/span><a data-start=\"2762\" data-end=\"2796\" class=\"\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"#\">Quebec\u2019s culture of consensus<\/a><span> and how it impacts business strategy.<\/span><em data-start=\"149\" data-end=\"492\"><strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=&#8221;Z\u00e8bre&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\">Z\u00e8bre Strat\u00e9gie supports you<\/h3>\n<p>We support Belgium and foreign companies in their efforts to comply with Bill 96 in Quebec, through :<\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><strong>Customized audits<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Translation and localization services<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Bilingual content management tools<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Quebec-specific<\/span> marketing strategies<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"348\"><strong data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"231\">Ready to comply?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"348\">Our team will work with you step by step to assess your risks, translate your media and adapt your strategy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"471\">\u2705 Personalized audit<br data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"373\" \/>\u2705 Concrete solutions for your websites, documents, HR<br data-start=\"424\" data-end=\"427\" \/>\u2705 Bilingual specialists in the Quebec market<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_cta title=&#8221;Schedule a free strategy session&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/meetings.hubspot.com\/sandrine-lassalle&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Book a consultation !&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_level=&#8221;h4&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#3d3d3d&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#E09900&#8243; button_border_color=&#8221;#E09900&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;-1px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">You may be asking yourself these questions:<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;Do I need a French site if I only sell online?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\u27a1 That depends on whether you&#8217;re actively targeting Quebec customers. Let&#8217;s talk about it.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;What if I only operate in B2B?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\u27a1 Bill 96 in Quebec also applies to business-to-business relations if you offer your services to the Quebec public.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;I only offer online services. Am I concerned?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\u27a1 Yes, if your services are accessible to Quebecers, your site must be in French.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;I don&#8217;t have a local team in Quebec. Do I still have to comply?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h6&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\u27a1 The absence of staff does not dispense with the need for legally compliant communication.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h5 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Do you have a specific question?<\/h5>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Bill 96 in Quebec applies differently depending on your sector, distribution method or location.<br data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"644\" \/><a href=\"mailto:contact@zebrestrategie.com\"><strong>Contact us<\/strong><\/a> for a compliance analysis.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n<span class=\"et_bloom_bottom_trigger\"><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do you really comply with Bill 96 in Quebec?Bill 96 in Quebec introduces\u00a0strict new language requirement as of June 1, 2025 , impacting how businesses communicate, market, recruit and operate, both locally and internationally. It represents a major shift in the Charter of the French Language, also known as Bill 101.Why it matters As [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":908,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[157,161,146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international-regulations-compliance","category-international-market-entry-expansion","category-reglementation-normes-internationales"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/Bill-96-20250627-180935.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zebrestrategie.com\/be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}