An Act Respecting French (formerly Bill 96) – Translation Requirements & Solution

On May 24, 2022, the Quebec National Assembly adopted An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (the "Act"), which aims to further promote the use of French language in Québec and reiterate the formal recognition of French as the only official language in Québec. Subject to implementation delays due to court challenge, please find below how the Act affects in particular employers, businesses and judicial proceedings.

The following is an overview of the Act and its impacts on businesses:

• the Act requires that the following documents be drafted in French; memberships contracts, contracts containing standard clauses and related documents. For example, the parties are no longer be able to use the clause whereby the parties agree that only a version in another language will be drafted and signed since companies are required to provide a French version of the documents before one of the parties expresses its desire to be bound by a version