Does my website need to be in French for Quebec customers?

Quebec's French-language rules require content aimed at Quebec customers to be available in French, though other languages may also appear. Check the OQLF's guidance for businesses and confirm your situation with a qualified professional.

Can I keep an English business name in Quebec?

The rules on names and trademarks changed in recent years, and since 1 June 2025 non-French names or trademarks visible from outside premises must be accompanied by French terms. Read the OQLF's business pages before you finalise letter N.

Which privacy law applies in Quebec?

Quebec has its own private-sector privacy law, considered substantially similar to the federal one, which generally applies within the province. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada's summary explains when the federal law still applies.

A to Z Business Checklist for Quebec

Quebec changes more letters of the A to Z checklist than any other province. Letter B leads to the Registraire des entreprises, H to the CNESST, P to Quebec's own private-sector privacy law, and consumer matters to the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). On top of that, French-language rules reach into N (name), S (search) and W (website).

This page summarises where to look. It is not legal advice, and language rules in particular are worth confirming with a qualified professional.

The Quebec letters, with official links

The provincial bodies, with the pages we loaded on 23 October 2026. Most of these pages are in French first.

B, registration: the Registraire des entreprises handles business registration in Quebec. ☐ My registration and annual updates are on file.
H, hiring basics: the CNESST covers labour standards, pay equity and workplace health and safety. ☐ I checked my obligations before hiring.
O and V, consumer dealings: the OPC enforces consumer protection rules. ☐ My contracts and quotes meet the rules for my sector.
P, privacy: Quebec is one of three provinces with its own substantially similar private-sector law, per the federal summary of privacy laws. ☐ My privacy policy reflects it.

Language: the letters it touches

French-language rules turn N, S and W into Quebec-specific letters. The OQLF's business pages are the source. In short, as of October 2026:

Under the Charter of the French Language, amended by Bill 96, public signs and commercial advertising must give French clear predominance.
Since 1 June 2025, a business name or trademark in another language that is visible from outside your premises needs accompanying French terms.
Website and social content aimed at Quebec customers must be available in French; other languages can sit alongside it.

Checklist boxes for Quebec:

☐ N: my name and signage meet the current rules.
☐ W: my website has complete French pages, not just a translated home page.
☐ S: my French pages are written for how Quebec customers search, not machine-translated from English.
☐ G: my Google Business Profile description and posts are in French.

The Quebec market

Montréal dominates, but Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Lévis and Saguenay are each sizable markets. Gatineau sits beside Ottawa, so some businesses serve both provinces and need two sets of B, H and P answers. Québec City is the capital.

For search, the key is that French is not a translation layer. Customers search in their own words, and pages that sound natural in Quebec French usually earn better engagement than literal translations.

Seasons and programs

Quebec's cold, snowy winters and long heating season, especially outside the St. Lawrence lowlands, shape demand for many services. Schedule your Google profile refresh and review push before the busy season on the annual calendar.

We do not list Quebec programs individually. Start from the federal starting a business hub and confirm any program with its administrator.

A first-month order for a new Quebec business

In Quebec, settle the name and language letters before you design anything.

N: check the name against the current French-language rules before registering.
B: register with the Registraire des entreprises, then check your CRA business number needs.
W and G: plan French content from the start rather than translating later.

How we would approach the growth letters in Quebec

French first, then everything else. We work in English, so for Quebec clients we write the plan and the checklists with you and recommend working with a qualified French-language writer for customer-facing pages.

N and W: confirm the name and the French website meet current rules.
G and R: a French Google profile and replies to reviews in the reviewer's language.
S: French service pages built around real Quebec search terms.

Start with the A to Z checklist, compare with Ontario if you serve the Ottawa–Gatineau area, and contact us.

The A to Z checklist in Quebec