If youre in this position, youll probably want to know if your package is reasonable, and, if not, can you negotiate a. Should your business be incorporated federally or provincially. Antispam laws find out about obtaining consent before sending promotional material to your current or potential clients, how the unsubscribe function works or what you can and cannot do when conducting marketing activities. The charter stipulates that companies in quebec must have a french business name. The quebec board of the french language, the administrative body in charge of language laws in the province, wanted these companies to translate their names or add a french slogan or. Any person or company that sells products or services in quebec has to follow the language requirements of the charter. What you should know about language regulations in quebec, canada. Quebecs international vision complements and extends quebecs international policy, which is still in force. British columbia and newfoundland and labrador are englishonly. Favourable tax climate why quebec investissement quebec. In quebec, taxzapping software first gained notoriety in. Attracting new customers to your business is essential, but you need to follow a few rules. Jan 30, 2014 compare that with the rest of canada, where frenchspeakers comprise only 22% of the population, while 58% speak english as a primary language. For 25 years, quebec has encouraged its businesses by offering a generous tax regime that reduces operating costs significantly.
Video game localization and language laws in quebec the. The legislation would be called bill 202 and would force all companies in quebec with 25 employees or. Quebec language laws videos and latest news articles skip to main content. The company uses english language software to deal with partners in such places as china and denmark. The language rules affect businesses, government and schools in quebec as all of. Passed in 1974, the charter of the french language also known as bill 101 or loi 101 made french the sole official language of quebec. While there is no legal requirement that a business must offer severance, many companies will provide it to employees after their employment is terminated. Get informed on french language rules for canada with our overview of things you need to know and do. I am aware that local laws exist in quebec which protect workers rights there to work in french.
French is the official language for government and commerce in. There are significant economies of scale and scope associated with living and producing close to your customers and competitors. Quebec language police target english retail websites. Its up to the employer to prove that another language is needed. Whats more, that tax regime is rounded out by a number of targeted financial incentives. It is the central legislative piece in quebec s language policy. The bill made french the only official language of quebec, a clear effort to shift. Select the canada revenue agency cra certified tax software from the. It required that tickets on trains, busses and tramways in quebec be in french, as well as in english. The systems can be modified to suit a retailers language or other needs, but. Accordingly, we receive and process applications for registration under the gsthst system from all persons carrying on commercial activities in quebec. Court interprets quebec french language sign requirements. Under quebec s charter of the french language, also known as bill 101, all businesses in the province are required to have a french language name and signage.
As i cast my ballot in this years election a ballot that in my home of broward county, florida is printed in english, spanish, and creole i was reminded of an employment law issue that. Quebecs language board has established french as the primary. Two software companies filed an injunction against the sheriffs office in rowan county on january 21, 2020 claiming gaming experts consider the businesses cited to be offering games of skill. Quebec is unique in that it recognizes french as its sole official language. Quebec premier pauline marois is introducing a bill to apply frenchfirst laws to small companies and to prevent towns.
Frequently asked questions office of the commissioner of. Quebec is bounded on the n by hudson strait and ungava bay, on the e by the labrador area of newfoundland and labrador and the gulf of st. Jun 01, 2008 another language may be added provided french is markedly predominant, meaning that the french text is to have a much greater visual impact than the text in the other language regulation defining the scope of the expression markedly predominant for the purposes of the charter of the french language, c. It has been over 30 years since quebec adopted the charter bill 101 but unless your business has or is planning to expand into quebec, it is likely that your company has never paid much attention to the charters language. Attorney general of quebec, 2017 qcca 2055, the quebec court of appeal confirmed the constitutional validity of the provisions of the quebec charter of the french language the cfl that require the joint or predominant. Technically, this is inaccurate because a contest is a promotion in which entrants win a prize based on merit.
As part of the process of internationalizing the application, which of the following are required by that law, if any. Enforcement is generally limited to individuals and companies with a place of business in quebec, which. Small business, bill 101, french language laws and oqlf. The french language has always been important to quebecs residents. Researching englishfrench canadian labelling laws may not be the most exciting reading in the world, but if you are planning on selling products in canada, it is important to understand and apply the language regulations. Because the use of a branch subjects the foreign corporation to canadian provincial and federal laws, it may be wise to first create a wholly owned subsidiary in. Quebec language agency to go after companies with english names. A legal name is the name that the entity uses when it registers as a business, when it signs official legal documents and when it has to deal with governmental processes. Prior to the 1960s, only two language laws had ever been passed by the government of quebec. When evaluating urine drug testing in pain management, here are six red flags that may indicate fraud.
Quebec should just establish companies that cater to the french speaking world. A brief history of the language laws of quebec languages. An inscription on a cultural or educational product such as a book, magazine, publication, disk, film or tape, or on a nonpromotional greeting card, appointment book or calendar, may be exclusively in a language other than french if the content is in a language other than french or if the cultural or educational product, greeting card, appointment book or calendar has no language. Businesses are also allowed to use a name in another language but a few rules apply to how that other name can be used. The quebec government argues that its laws are thus. Mind your ps and qs when doing business in the province of quebec. Marketing, advertising and sales regulations canada business. Rogue firms in china, canada source of software that helps u. In the canadian province of quebec, arcades must pay operator fees and an additional fee per machine. If they win a majority, they intend to tighten quebec s.
In addition to the bilingual labelling laws that apply to products sold throughout the country, loi 101 has created additional requirements for products sold in the province of quebec. Quebec some quebec companies dodge the stringent rules of quebec s language laws by simply asking the provincial government for an exemption. Current language law makes it mandatory for companies with 50 or more employees to impose french as language of workplace communication. Federal laws english and french are the official languages of canada. Court recognizes exemptions from language requirements may be justified where they impose disproportionate economic burdens. See our 35 computer software companies in quebec, canada. Jun 01, 2012 it publicly announced its fall 2011 campaign to enhance the visibility of french on signage in quebec. Quebecs charter of the french language sets out detailed rules that regulate. Louise marchand, president of the oqlf, told the toronto star newspaper on august 30, 2011, that the office intends to target large nonresident stores that are entering the quebec market but are not compliant with the language laws. Luckily for you, i have saved you the trouble of looking into them yourself. How many canadians who have said or thought quebec s language laws are discriminatory or fascist would consider taking five minutes to read what bill 101 actually says.
But first, youll want to learn about canadian language laws and linguistic. Have questions about the language usage and laws in quebec. Language laws and doing business in quebec educaloi. The netfile and refile services are now open for the electronic filing of your 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 t1 personal income tax and benefit return. Quebec body says small businesses employees must use. Under an agreement between the federal and quebec governments, revenu quebec administers the gsthst in quebec in accordance with the rules set by the federal government. Search or browse our list of 1,180 computer software companies by category or location, including 01 communications inc, 115743 canada inc, 1484558 ontario inc, 148893 canada inc, 15079981 quebec inc, 174386 canada inc, and 21615687 quebec. Montreal tech lawyer is a montreal law firm with a financial industry focus and bitcoin digital currency expertise serving local and international clients from ontario and the us. Loi 101, is a law in the province of quebec in canada defining french, the language of the majority of the population, as the official language of the provincial government.
Rules for all businesses any person or company that sells products or services in quebec has to follow the language requirements of the charter. Regulations adopted under the charter of the french. What you need to know about doing business in french in quebec. Montreal lures tech companies not so much with its low rents and plentiful. Quebec to amend language laws to require french on all. Your obligations refer to the basic rules to find out if you are required to register your business for the gst and qst and for information about types of supplies and the consumption taxes that apply depending on the place of supply. Whereas the national assembly of quebec recognizes that quebecers wish to see the quality and influence of the french language assured, and is resolved therefore to make of french the language of government and the law, as well as the normal and everyday language of work, instruction, communication, commerce and business. The first is known as the lavergne law, issued in 1910. French must be included on all forms of labels and communication. In terms of international relations, the government will continue to promote quebecs identity and interests around the world, while placing greater emphasis on trade and market diversification, as well as on attracting.
The materials available on this web page are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Also, in order to comply with social distancing and. In the province of quebec, discrimination is prohibited based not only on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion and disability, but. What you should know about language regulations in quebec. However, its not only contracts have to be in the french language but also. Key economic indicators for sectors of the canadian economy, tools to help you gain the competitive edge and the latest statistics and labour market information. Based on their replies, the 536 companies in this directory are involved in software development in quebec, i. Quebec language agency cracks down on englishonly web site move to regulate photography page seen as stemming the growth of the provinces flourishing online community by tyler hamilton tuesday, june 8, 1999. Quebec is also a major player in several leadingedge industries including aerospace, information technologies and software and multimedia. Canada has become a significant player in the global outsourcing market. Enforcement is generally limited to individuals and companies with a place of business in quebec, which means local resellers, distributors, and sales representatives involved in the marketing or sale of noncompliant products are the one at risk of prosecution. Keeping the french language alive in quebec the parti quebecois is leading the polls for next months provincial election in canada. Mom bloggers most commonly call a giveaway promotion a contest. Does this mean that every office must provide user manuals and software packages in both official languages.
Quebec is one of north americas leading hightech player. Because the oqlf will only send a notice to a company to change their site after theres been a complaint, there are many chains that have stores in quebec and no french language website, but. The constitution of canada and the official languages act guarantee that english and french have. Quebec language agency cracks down on englishonly web site. Quebec s official language is french, but the province provides certain guarantees, protections and services for the englishspeaking minority. Qualitative and quantitative urine drug testing on nearly every visit to a physicians office. How many canadians who have said or thought canada. And for businesses that have more than 50 employees, the law. Language law exemptions enjoyed by 54 quebec companies. Quebec s language agency is aiming to extend french language laws into cyberspace, as it cracks down on at least one web site based in the province. Federal laws impose limited bilingual packaging and labelling requirements. May 22, 2014 video game localization and language laws in quebec anna localization, translation may 22, 2014 february 18, 2020 6 minutes as both a translator and a video game fan, i cannot help but be fascinated by the evolution of video game localization for the french canadian quebec market.
Many translation agencies and even the french embassy in quebec uses systran. The netfile and refile services will be open until friday, january 22, 2021. Until that year, the tickets had usually been only in english in quebec. Nov 16, 2017 for a start, some companies have different legal and trading names also known as a business name. What you should know about language regulations in quebec, canada french is the official language of quebec and its government and law, as well as the normal and everyday language of work, instruction, communication, commerce and business. Its a bilingual city, but the language laws for business are strict in montreal. With expertise in translation, localization, and creative services in over 100 languages, venga partners with clients to help them communicate globally and support their global ambitions. Ymca quebec is not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site. Ymca quebec is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by ymca quebec of the site or any association with its operators.
In 1977, the national assembly of quebec adopted the charter, under which french became the official language of quebec charter sec. Ensure your giveaways and contests are legal dummies. This document provides an overview of the key regulations, permits and licences related to marketing, advertising and sales. Quebec language agency to go after companies with english. Before the charter was passed, quebec was a bilingual providence which had both english and french. Lawrence, on the s by new brunswick and the united states, and on the w by ontario, james bay, and. Quebec language police try to ban pasta from italian. Geographic proximity to the united states, political stability and similarities in laws, language and business culture have. Inscriptions in other languages are permitted as the french inscription may be accompanied by one or more translations. The governments response was bill 22, the official language act, which was passed by the legislature in 1974. Quebecs preoccupation with french is limiting its startup scene. An update on frenchlanguage requirements in quebec, canada.
For example, if the company name is displayed, the french version will have to have a more important visual impact. Quebec article about quebec by the free dictionary. Researching englishfrench canadian labelling laws may not be the most exciting reading in the world, but if you are planning on selling products in canada, it is important to understand and apply the language. With a metropolitan area population of just over 4 million, montreal is canadas second biggest city, after toronto montreal has been overtaken by toronto as canadas commercial capital, but it is still an important hub for commerce, arts, culture and architecture. Planning for a construction project in quebec appears daunting because of the french culture, language and civil law traditions that make quebec so unique. Quebec language laws videos and latest news articles. The official language of all other provinces is english, except for new brunswick, which is canadas only province to adopt both english and french as official languages. Your products and services need french labels and marketing materials. Language laws for business in montreal and quebec arianne. When running promotions on the internet comply with your own local laws and with the laws of where every single one of your participants lives. Some unscrupulous prescribers are abusing urine drug testing to defraud patients, insurance companies, and the u. Systrans most accurate language is the english french so there is no doubt it can relied on to translate documents. Geographic proximity to the united states, political stability and similarities in laws, language and business culture have contributed to canada s emergence as a primary nearshore outsourcing destination for u.
599 230 788 765 52 1268 202 1186 1084 1366 1141 1029 498 673 343 1505 298 361 1255 1259 822 1342 526 613 1284 94 930 1400 1459 689 1339 629 546 111 586 1066