Article by :
Gabrielle Fauteux
As of June 1, 2025, Québec companies employing between 25 and 49 employees over a six-month period will be required to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (the “Office”). Whereas this obligation was previously reserved for companies with 50 or more employees, all companies with 25 or more employees will now be required to comply, in accordance with section 139 of the Charter of the French Language.
The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that Québec companies comply with their obligations to protect the French language, and to support the integration of French into business practices. Failure to comply can result in criminal sanctions, including fines ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 for a first offence.
One of the Office’s missions is to ensure compliance with the Charter of the French Language, and to ensure that French is the normal and usual language of work, communications, commerce and business in Québec companies. To this end, the Office receives and handles complaints concerning breaches of the Charter’s provisions, and helps companies to comply with them. It can also assist companies in their francization efforts, and take all appropriate measures to ensure the promotion of French in the Québec business community. It’s the body that oversees and protects the French language in Québec.
To register a company, first fill out the prescribed form, available on the Office’s website, then send it by e-mail or mail to the Office. The company will then be invited to carry out an analysis of its linguistic situation. Based on this analysis, the Office may require the company to submit a francization program, or issue a francization certificate to the company if it considers that French is widely used at all levels.
Do you have any further questions about your company’s obligation to register with the Office? Don’t hesitate to contact one of our professionals!