New French Language Requirements For Signs In Quebec

Context

On November 9th, 2016, the Government of Quebec released into the Quebec Official Gazette the final version of amendments to the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business (the "Regulation") ( French Language: the Quebec Government Proposes New Rules for the Public Display of Trademarks). The amended Regulation will come into effect on November 24th, 2016.

Requirements

The amended Regulation requires that organizations currently displaying trademarks in a language other than French ensure a "sufficient presence of French" outside of their premises, on signs or posters.

Under the amended Regulation, outdoor signs and posters include signs present (i) outside of a building (on the structure or separate from it), (ii) outside of a shop (whether located inside a building or on the street), and (iii) inside a building or a shop to the extent that the trademark can be seen from outside.