Navigating Quebec's French language laws as a designer

It's incumbent upon designers with clients based in Quebec, or clients who do business in Quebec, as well as Quebec-based designers to be aware of the language laws so that you don't get yourself or your clients into trouble, possibly incurring fines or extra costs. 

It's an ever-shifting landscape, with the most recent French language laws passed in June 2025, that especially affect language use on signage.

I've compiled some tips and resources that are helpful guides for doing business in Quebec, or doing business for clients who do business in Quebec. This is far from comprehensive, but I hope it will get you started and help you know where to get the most recent information. I am not a lawyer, so consider consulting one if you're in doubt about a campaign or project you're working on.

The main resource to consult is the Office québécois de la langue française. Unfortunately, much of their documentation is only provided in French, but you can make use of your browser's translation option to make things easier. Some specific pages that will come in handy are on the public display and commercial advertising of a business name or trademark and the guidance on business names or trademarks on packaging.

On signage, French must be used, and if another language like English is also on the sign, French must be predominant. If the trademark name is in English, it's fine to keep it as is, but a generic French description of the business has to be there and be markedly visible. For instance, if your client is a hardware store called BenningtonWorks, the signage should have the word Quincaillerie prominently marked so that Francophone customers are aware that BenningtonWorks is a hardware store.

For product packaging, the French does not have to be prominent, but it has to be on the packaging. All information except for the trademark name should be translated into French on the packaging, even supporting information. If it's a moisturizer that's named Flower Power, the name can remain solely in English, but anything else, like the ingredient list, supporting information like "for sensitive skin," etc., needs to be in French as well.

Businesses should have a French version of their name if they don't have a registered trademark.

Some tips for doing business in Quebec, while respecting the French charter (source: Educaloi):

• Your contracts should be provided in French. If your client requests the contract in another language after receiving the French contract, you are able to provide a version in English or another language, but only at their request.
• If you have at least five employees, you must be able to provide service to your clients in French. If the client is more comfortable in English or another language, you can go ahead and switch.
• Telemarketing and voicemail greetings should include a French version.
• Printed and online materials, including social media, should be available in French and it should be comparable to the materials in other languages that you provide.
• If your business has a Quebec address, your website must be in French, but you have the option to make it available in other languages as long as there's a French version with equal functionality.
• If a customer posts a comment on social media in French, you need to respond in French.
• There are a few exceptions where written publications and online documents can be presented without a French equivalent:
  • When appearing in non-French media
  • When they're sent to someone who specifically requested them in a particular language
  • When they concern cultural or educational products or activities
  • When they concern an event that's aimed solely at a limited audience

Navigating the language laws of Quebec is not a simple task, but being aware of them and acting accordingly can save you and your clients legal headaches and money.