If you live or do business in Quebec, you know that there are rules around when you can and can’t use English. These rules come from a law called the Charter of the French Language, also known as “Bill 101”.
The Charter’s beginnings
The Charter became law in 1977 and strived to make French the everyday language of work, education, commerce and business. Notably, it made French the official language of Quebec.
It also introduced many of the language rules we know today. The Charter:
- made French instruction mandatory for newcomers’ children,
- limited access to public English elementary and high schools,
- required commercial ads and signs to be in French,
- required businesses and non-profits of a certain size to ensure that French was widely used within the workplace.
Language rules may appear set, but court decisions and new laws have changed them over the years.
Bill 96 overhauled the Charter
“Bill 96”, also known as Law 14, brought the most significant changes to the Charter in recent years. It made French mandatory or preferred in more contexts than before.
In concrete terms, Bill 96 made these notable changes:
- Government bodies are now obligated to provide service to you in French, with some exceptions,
- English CEGEPs have a limit on the number of spots they can offer,
- Businesses and non-profits with 25+ employees (not 50) will have to comply with francization rules as of June 1, 2025
What are the rules today?
In the drop-down menu, you’ll find a summary of the rules around using English today, as well as links to Éducaloi articles for further details. Click on the topic that interests you to begin.
-
Kindergarten to high school
- Your child can attend public kindergarten, elementary or high school in English if they have a certificate of eligibility or permission from the government. Otherwise, they must either study in French or attend a non-subsidized private English school.
-
CEGEP and university
- Anyone can go to English CEGEP or university. However, spots are limited in English CEGEPs and in English-language programs within French institutions.
- Priority admission is given to people who have a certificate of eligibility in English-language programs within francophone CEGEPs. The same can be true for some English CEGEPs, who choose to give priority admission to people who have a certificate of eligibility.
- To find out more about the rules surrounding English schools and how to apply for a certificate of eligibility: Access to English Schools in Quebec: The Certificate of Eligibility and Other Options
- You can address the judge and submit documents in English. You are also entitled to an English copy of the judgment.
- You can get assistance from an interpreter, if the other party doesn’t speak in English. However, you may have to pay for their services.
- Members of the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities have additional language rights in court.
- To find out more: What Language Can I Speak in Court in Quebec?
- You can receive health and social services in English if you’re more comfortable in this language. Workers might approach you in French, but you can ask for service in English.
- Not all facilities have enough English-speaking staff. By asking for service in English, you will be directed towards a facility that can accommodate you.
- To find out more: Health and Social Services in English
- Most government agencies and municipal bodies must speak to you in French. For those bodies, you’re entitled to service in English only if:
- you’ve been declared eligible to attend public English school,
- you’re a member of a First Nations or Inuit community,
- you immigrated to Quebec less than six months ago,
- you have an ongoing file with the government body, and they communicated with you in English before May 13, 2021.
- Municipalities, healthcare institutions, school service centres and school boards that have bilingual status can provide service to you in English, even if you don’t meet the requirements listed above.
- To find out more: Access to Provincial and Municipal Services in English
-
Employer
- Internal communications
- As an employer, emails and communications to your staff can be in English or in another language, as long as you include a French version that is as prominent. Private communications with an employee must be in French, unless otherwise requested by the employee.
- Recruitment
- You cannot require knowledge of English in your job postings, unless
- the tasks require English,
- no reasonable alternatives exist, and
- current employees cannot take on these tasks.
- Job offers and application forms can be in English if a French version is available and publicized just as widely.
- You cannot require knowledge of English in your job postings, unless
- Internal communications
-
Employee
- Internal communications
- You can speak English with your colleagues. However, employers with 50 or more employees may be under the obligation to foster French use among staff.
- You can ask that your employer communicate with you in English or a language other than French.
- Job applications
- Some jobs will require that you know French, like jobs in government bodies or hospitals.
- Professional orders generally ask that you prove French proficiency before issuing a practice permit.
- Internal communications
- To find out more: Language Used in the Workplace in Quebec
- If your business or non-profit has at least 50 employees, you need to get a francization certificate from the OQLF. To obtain it, you must show that French is widely used within the workplace. If it’s not, you will have to create a program that aims to foster French use and get it approved by the OQLF.
- You also must submit regular reports to the OQLF on the state of French within your workplace.
- These rules will apply to businesses and enterprises with at least 25 employees as of July 1, 2025.
- For all the details: Francization Rules for Employers
- Customer service
- You must be able to serve customers in French if your business has 5 or more employees. You must serve customers in French if they requested service in French. Otherwise, you can speak to them in English.
-
Paperwork
- Generally, paperwork can be in English if a French version of comparable quality is also available. This applies to order forms, receipts and other commercial documents.
-
Online presence
- Social media pages and websites must be either French or bilingual, if you have a business address in Quebec or if you offer products or services to Quebecers.
-
Product
- Packaging and documents included alongside the product (like warranties) must either be fully in French or bilingual.
- For a more detailed list of the do’s and don’ts: Language Laws and Doing Business in Quebec
The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) enforces the Charter’s rules
The OQLF’s mission is to make sure that people, businesses and government agencies follow the Charter’s rules.
The OQLF has existed since 1961. At the time, its mandate was to “foster the correction and enrichment of the spoken and written language”. Throughout the years, and with Bill 96’s overhaul, the OQLF has gained more specific and far-reaching roles.
The OQLF also issues francization certificates. All workplaces with 50+ employees must register with the OQLF and take measures to receive this certificate in order to operate in Quebec. If you’re an employer, you will have to vet your francization program by the OQLF, if applicable.
On a policy level, the OQLF analyzes how French evolves in Quebec. It must submit a report of its findings to the Minister of the French language every five years, at the very least.
The OQLF hasn’t abandoned its initial mission to foster the enrichment of the French language. To this end, the OQLF publishes a free French guide and dictionary you can view online. It also has a hotline dedicated to answering your French questions.