On May 13, 2021, the Quebec Government tabled An
Act respecting French, the official and common language of
Québec ("Bill 96") in
Quebec's National Assembly. The purpose of Bill 96 is to
"affirm that the only official language of Québec
is French." To bring this about, Bill 96 reinforces
provisions relating to the use of French as the language of
commerce and business in Quebec, and the drafting of certain
documents, including contracts relating to immovable property.
Presently, the use of the English language is permitted in
respect of contracts relating to immovable property which are
submitted for registration at the Land Registry Office. However,
should Bill 96 be given royal assent, then these contracts, if
drafted in English, will require French language translation in
order to be registered.