This post summarizes a newly published regulation (the “Amended Regulation”) amending the Québec Charter of the French Language (“Charter”) and the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business in key areas such...more
On June 26, 2024, the Regulation to amend mainly the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (the Regulation) was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec. The Regulation introduces significant...more
Trademarks allow consumers to distinguish between products and services of one business and those of another, making them a most valuable business asset. However, that asset’s value is closely tied to the extent to which an...more
On January 10, 2024, the Regulation to amend mainly the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (the “Draft Regulation”) was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec. The Draft Regulation was eagerly...more
The Quebec Charter of the French Language (the “Charter”) was adopted nearly 50 years ago to protect the status of the French language in the province of Quebec. It includes many rules, several of them directed at the...more
Amendments to the Charter of French Language (Charter) scheduled to come into force on June 1, 2025 will have major implications on trademark owners doing business in Quebec, Canada. This doesn’t just impact Canadian...more
This post summarizes a newly published draft regulation (“Draft Regulation”) that, if passed, will amend the Québec Charter of the French Language (“Charter”) and the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and...more
On January 10, 2024, the Regulation to amend mainly the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (Draft Regulation) was published in the Gazette Officielle du Québec. The Draft Regulation was eagerly...more
On May 13, 2021, the Québec government introduced Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (the Bill), proposing significant amendments to Québec’s Charter of the French Language (the...more
In this webinar, our speakers will discuss the recent amendments to the French language requirements in Québec and touch on how they apply to product markings, promotion, and advertisements, plus practical tips on how to take...more
Established through the Charter of the French Language, French is the official language of the Province of Québec. The Charter applies to businesses located in Québec and to other businesses providing services and selling...more
Our August 2022 post summarized the main business-related changes that Bill 96 made to the Québec Charter of the French Language (“Charter”). This post provides updates on several key issues, particularly the potential impact...more
The French language holds the status of official language in the province of Québec through the Charter of the French Language (RLRQ c C-11), thus making the use of the French language mandatory in all spheres of public life...more
In this webinar, our speakers will discuss the French language requirements in Québec as they apply to product markings, promotion, and advertisement, with practical tips on how to take advantage of the “recognized trademark”...more
Since it was introduced in May 2021, a lot of ink has been spilled, to say the least, over Bill 96, which seeks to reinforce the provisions of the Charter of the French Language (the “Charter”). Smart & Biggar’s...more
Le 13 mai 2021, le ministre responsable de la langue française du Québec Simon Jolin-Barrette a déposé à l’Assemblée nationale le projet de loi n⁰ 96 – Loi sur la langue officielle et commune du Québec, le français, qui...more
What happened? The Quebec Government made waves when they tabled Bill 96 – An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec, on May 13, 2021. The bill amends the province’s Charter of the French Language...more
On May 13, 2021, the government of Québec introduced Bill 96 with an intent to “strengthen” the provisions in the Charter of the French language (the French Charter). We do not know whether Bill 96 will be adopted and, if so,...more
On May 13, 2021, Quebec’s Minister Responsible for the French Language, Simon Jolin-Barrette, tabled Bill 96 – An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (Bill 96) before the National Assembly. Bill...more
Important Notice: The Québec government has announced its intention to modify the French Charter in order to better protect the French language in Québec. We do not know precisely when these changes will come into force, nor...more
This fourth article of our French language requirements in Québec series explores the rules for public signs, posters, and commercial advertising in Québec. For an introduction to the Charter of the French language (R.S.Q. c....more
This third article of the French language requirements in Québec series will address the French language requirements for commercial publications. For an introduction to the Charter of the French language (R.S.Q. c. C-11)...more
The French language holds status of official language in Québec through the Charter of the French Language (R.S.Q. c. C-11) (the French Charter). In a continued examination of the French language requirements for commerce and...more
The Charter of the French language (R.S.Q. c. C-11) (the French Charter) was adopted in 1977 by the Québec government to protect the French language. The French Charter gives the French language the status of official...more