THE FRENCH CANADIAN LANGUAGE CULTURE

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 following rules apply to all businesses no matter how big or small they are.

Business Names

All businesses that sell products or services in Quebec must have a French business name. A business can also have a name in English or another language, but there are special rules about when and how a non-French name can be used.

Employee Language Rights

All workers in Quebec have the right to work in French. They can speak and write in French and ask for French work documents and tools, including computer software. Employers can’t fire or refuse to hire workers just because they don’t know English or another language well enough. The only exception is if the job has to be done in another language. It’s up to the employer to prove that another language is needed.

Communications with Employees and Workplace Signs

Employers have to use French in written documents meant for their staff in general, including messages posted in the workplace. But they can write to an individual employee in English or another language. There can be a version of these official documents and messages in English or another language, as long as the French stands out at least as much.

Serving the Public

All businesses have to be able to serve the public in French. But they can serve a non-French speaking person in that person’s language.Telemarketing and voice-mail greetings and messages must include a French version if they are used in Quebec.

Public Signs and Advertising

In some cases, only French can be used, for example, advertising on buses and on some large billboards. For some other types of signs and advertising, French can be used along with English or another language, as long as the French is clearly more predominant. “More predominant” usually means that the French version is at least twice as big, or takes up at least twice as much space, as the other language. Signs and advertising for cultural products or activities and advertising in non-French media can be only in English or another language.

Products and Packaging

Anything written on a product sold in Quebec, or on its package, or in documents included with the product must be in French. Translations in one or more other languages can be included with the French. Written Publications and Documents Catalogues and brochures, order forms, receipts and warranties must be in French. There can be a version in English or another language as long as a French version is available. Standard-form contracts must also be in French. These are contracts that are already prepared and pre-printed, such as cell phone contracts, gym memberships and leases. The contract must be in French, but there can be a version in another language if the consumer asks for it. Menus and wine lists must be in French as well. The French can be accompanied by one or more other languages, as long as they don’t stand out more than the French.

Toys and Games

Toys and games, including computer games, which involve using language (for example, talking-dolls and Xbox games), can be sold in Quebec only if a French version is available. So, for example, an English-talking-doll can be sold in Quebec only if an identical French-talking-doll is available. Software and Information Technology Computer software sold or leased in Quebec must be available in French, unless no French version exists. Software can also be in English or another language as long as the French version works as well or better. Anything written on computer hardware and accessories must be in French.

Business Websites

A business must have a French version of its website if it has an address in Quebec, and it sells its products or services to Quebecers. Another language can be used as long as French is available. Sometimes a business uses its website for “e-commerce” in Quebec, that is, for selling products or services to Quebec consumers over the Internet instead of at a physical store. If so, all the information that a consumer needs to make a purchase must be in French. This includes information about the product or service, order forms, invoices and receipts. English or another language can be used as long as a French version is available. The websites of non-French media don’t have to be in French. Also any advertising on websites of non-French cultural or educational products or activities don’t have to be in French.

Social Media

The rules for business websites (above) also apply to social media accounts. If a customer posts a comment on social media in a language other than French, the business can reply in this language. However, if the customer posts in French, the business must reply in French.