Quebec Amendment to Law 96 Pertaining to Commercial Signage

Quebec Amendment to Law 96 Pertaining to Commercial Signage

NOTE: Please note that the Ministry of the French Language has issued new interpretations the regulations. These directives differ from those initially communicated by the OQLF to the AQIE’ and will have significant repercussions on the signage rules involving business names or trademarks in a language other than French.

These new interpretations could in some cases lead to significant changes, in particular, but not only for stand-alone signs (on poles) and community type pylons (more than 2 names). It is therefore essential to understand the adjustments required to ensure the compliance of your signs according to the new interpretations of Bill 96.

 

On June 19, 2024, the Government of Quebec amended Law 96, introducing new requirements for the Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business. These amendments, published in the Gazette officielle du Québec, affect the use of trademarks on products, public signage, and commercial advertising related to trademarks and business names.

The Quebec Government’s amendments to Law 96 significantly affect outdoor commercial signage. Effective June 25, 2024, the updated regulation mandates that French-language text must have a “clear predominance” over any other language, which means it must be twice the size of any English text. This change impacts how businesses present trademarks, logos, and commercial names on their signage. Sign manufacturers must ensure compliance by adapting designs to prioritize French visibility, reshaping branding strategies for the Quebec market.

Prior to these new regulations, outdoor signage with an English trademark was required to have a “sufficient presence” of French. The updated regulation now mandates a “clear predominance of French,” which signifies that in each visual field of an establishment, the French-language signage must occupy an area at least twice as large as that of trademarks or business names in other languages. The images below show examples of compliant and non-compliant signage.

These changes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reinforce the status of the French language in commerce and business, impacting how businesses display their branding and communicate with the public in Quebec. This regulation will require companies to assess their signage and advertising to ensure compliance, thereby strengthening the visibility of French in the province.

Please make sure to review the law for yourself by clicking the button below.

LAW 96