Quebec’s Bill 96 officially came into effect on June 1, 2025, bringing with it a new set of requirements around French-language use. While many companies have had time to prepare, the past few weeks have made it clear that compliance remains a major challenge — particularly for businesses and specialty retailers whose products are imported and often labelled only in English.
The updated Charter of the French Language requires French predominance in many cases, including product packaging, user manuals, signage, and promotional materials sold or displayed in Quebec. In practice, this means French must appear more prominently than any other language in terms of placement, font size, or visibility.
Small Businesses, Big Challenges
For large companies, making these adjustments may be inconvenient, but manageable. For smaller operations, however, the obstacles can be significant.
As recent news reports have highlighted, stores that sell imported goods — such as hobby shops, music retailers, and outdoor equipment dealers — often lack control over product packaging, which is typically designed for global markets. The result is that business owners are left trying to find cost-effective ways to comply with the law without losing access to the products their customers want.
How LAT Can Help
At LAT Multilingual, we have been working closely with businesses to adapt packaging, signage, and customer-facing content in accordance with Bill 96. For small retailers especially, the idea of updating materials or creating French versions of imported product labels can feel like a heavy and costly lift. But in reality, professional translation and adaptation services do not have to break the bank. Our team of experienced French translators and cultural consultants delivers accurate, efficient, and cost-effective solutions tailored to your business needs. We help you stay compliant without compromising on time, budget, or brand consistency.
Support for Francization and Digital Compliance
In addition to product-level support, LAT also helps businesses meet broader language requirements. If your company operates in Quebec with 25 to 49 employees, you are now required to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) and begin the francization process. This often involves preparing internal documents in French, such as onboarding materials, HR policies, and workplace communications. While we do not offer legal guidance, we can guide you and assist with the localization and adaptation of these materials to help you with compliance.
We also support online businesses and Quebec-based companies in meeting web language requirements. Bill 96 mandates that any website serving Quebec residents must provide a fully functional French version, with equivalent content, features, and support as the English site. Our team can help ensure your digital presence is compliant, consistent, and welcoming to French-speaking users. We can also offer French-language customer service solutions where needed.
Take Action Now
As enforcement of Bill 96 ramps up, now is the time to act. Taking proactive steps today will help protect your business, build trust with French-speaking consumers, and ensure your communications align with Quebec’s evolving language standards.
Need help? Contact us to find out how our team can support your business today.
