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ARTICLE · 24 JUNE 2022

Québec's Bill 96 Amending French Language Legislation Has Been Adopted: How Is Litigation Affected?

McCarthy Tétrault
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On May 24, 2022, Bill 96, An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec ("Bill 96") was adopted in Québec's National Assembly and received assent on June 1, 2022.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Hugo Babos-Marchand
Hugo Babos-Marchand
Kevin Lee Pinkoski
Kevin Lee Pinkoski
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On May 24, 2022, Bill 96, An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec ("Bill 96") was adopted in Québec's National Assembly and received assent on June 1, 2022.

Bill 96 aims to further promote the French language and reiterate the formal recognition of French as the only official language in Québec. It clarifies and reinforces the measures currently in force through the Charter of the French Language (the "Charter")1, introduces new requirements and restrictions, and strengthens the role of the Office québécois de la langue française, the governmental body responsible for ensuring compliance with the Charter.

Businesses and lawyers must prepare for the impact Bill 96 will have on Québec's judicial process and court system. The new rules will come into force within varying delays (from immediately upon assent to three years from assent).2 The provisions that come into force on the day of assent are now in effect.

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