If your business sells to customers in Quebec, your website may need to be available in French. Quebec’s Bill 96 — formally known as An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec — strengthened the existing Charter of the French Language and significantly expanded requirements for businesses operating in the province.
This isn’t something to panic about, but it is something to act on. Here’s a clear explanation of what the law requires, who it applies to, and how to fix your website quickly if it’s not yet compliant.
What Does Bill 96 Require for Websites?
Under Quebec’s Charter of the French Language (as amended by Bill 96), businesses that have a “commercial establishment” in Quebec or that target Quebec consumers must ensure their websites and digital communications are available in French. Key requirements include:
- French must be available — consumers have the right to be served in French, including online
- French cannot be less prominent — if your site offers French and English, French should not be subordinate (e.g., smaller, harder to find, or presented as an afterthought)
- Product information must be in French — product descriptions, labels, and pricing must be available in French
- All public signage and communications must be available in French — this extends to websites and digital touchpoints
The law was amended in 2022 and enforcement has continued to increase since then. The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) can investigate complaints and require businesses to make changes.
Who Does This Apply To?
The requirements apply broadly to any enterprise that:
- Has a physical or commercial presence in Quebec
- Actively markets to Quebec consumers online
- Sells products or services that are delivered to Quebec addresses
- Has employees in Quebec
If you’re a business based elsewhere in Canada or internationally, but you’re targeting Quebec customers through advertising, shipping, or services — you’re in scope. An English-only website is not compliant for businesses in this position.
What Does “Compliant” Look Like?
A compliant website for Quebec purposes means:
- All key pages are available in French — homepage, product/service pages, contact, policies
- A language switcher makes French accessible from every page
- The French version is complete — not partially translated or machine-garbled
- Forms, buttons, and calls to action are in French
The French content doesn’t have to be literary perfection, but it does need to be accurate and readable. A proper bilingual site is what’s required.
How to Fix It Fast: Add French to Your Website Today
The fastest and most affordable way to make your website bilingual for Quebec is Multilingualizer. It works on any website platform — GoDaddy, Wix, Weebly, Shopify, Webflow, WordPress, or custom-built sites — as long as you can add a JavaScript snippet.
How It Works
- Add the snippet — paste a single JS code into your website’s custom code or footer
- Tag your content — wrap your text in language tags:
<span class="ml-en">Contact us</span> <span class="ml-fr">Contactez-nous</span> - Language switcher appears — visitors can switch to French from any page on your site
Your French translations are written by you (or a translator you work with), so the quality is exactly what you put in. No automated AI translation that might embarrass you or introduce errors.
Pricing and Timeline
Multilingualizer costs $3.99/month after a free 1-week trial. Most websites can be set up as bilingual within a day or two, once you have your French translations ready. This is almost certainly the fastest route to compliance available — far quicker and cheaper than rebuilding your site or migrating to a new platform.
Start Your Free 1-Week Trial →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bill 96 apply to my website?
If your business has a presence in Quebec or actively sells to Quebec consumers, then yes — the requirements of the Charter of the French Language (as amended by Bill 96) likely apply to your website. This includes online retailers shipping to Quebec addresses, service businesses with Quebec clients, and any company with employees based in Quebec. If you’re unsure, consulting a Quebec legal advisor is the safest path.
What does my Quebec website need to include in French?
Your website needs to offer a complete French version covering all key pages: homepage, product/service descriptions, contact information, pricing, and policies. A language switcher should be visible and accessible from every page. The French content must be accurate and complete — not a partial translation or placeholder.
How do I make my website bilingual for Quebec law?
The fastest way is to use Multilingualizer. You add a JS snippet to your existing website (works on GoDaddy, Wix, Shopify, Weebly, Webflow, WordPress, and more), then tag your content with English and French versions. A language switcher appears automatically. It’s a one-week free trial, then $3.99/month — far more affordable than rebuilding your site or hiring a developer for a custom multilingual build.
What happens if my Quebec website isn’t French-language compliant?
The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) can investigate complaints from consumers or competitors. If violations are found, businesses can be asked to make changes, and continued non-compliance can result in fines. Proactively getting your site bilingual is much simpler than responding to a formal complaint.