On May 24, 2022, Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (Bill 96), which amends the Charter of the French Language (Charter), was adopted by Quebec’s National Assembly.
Bill 96 sets out new requirements and, in some cases, increases existing requirements for employers in Quebec. It also aims to impose new obligations on employers in Quebec that take effect on the date of Bill 96’s receiving royal assent. Below is a list of the changes:
- Employers will be required to draw up, in French, their written communications (e.g., newsletters, communications with a union, disciplinary notices) to their staff (or a part thereof), an individual employee, or an association of workers unless an employee explicitly requests that their employer communicates with them in a language other than French.
- Employers will be required to make sure that any individual employment contract they enter into in writing is drawn up in French.
More details on employer requirements under Bill 96 are available here.