Since June 1, 2025, new requirements under Quebec’s Charter of the French Language have applied to public signage and commercial advertising involving business names and trademarks in languages other than French.

For sign companies working on projects in Quebec, the changes are particularly relevant to exterior signage and other signs visible from outside a premises.

Key Requirements

When a sign includes a business name or recognized trademark in a language other than French, French must be markedly predominant in the same field of vision.

This generally means that:

  • French wording must have a substantially greater visual impact than wording in another language.
  • A business name or recognized trademark in another language may need to be accompanied by French wording, such as a generic term, descriptive wording, or a slogan.
  • The French wording must have visibility and legibility that are at least equivalent to the wording in another language.
  • The requirement applies separately to each field of vision. Where multiple building façades are visible from public areas, each may need to meet the predominance requirement.

AQIE explains that, in practice, the French wording should generally occupy an area at least twice as large as the wording in another language within the same field of vision.

What Signage Is Affected?

The requirements apply to public signage visible from outside a premises. This can include signage:

  • mounted on a building;
  • visible within a shopping centre;
  • installed on a freestanding structure;
  • mounted on a pylon or similar sign structure; and
  • visible from a public space.

Different rules or exceptions may apply depending on the type of sign, its location, the wording used, and whether the name or trademark has a French version.

Illuminated Signs

For illuminated signs, AQIE notes that the accompanying French wording should provide visibility and legibility that are at least equivalent to the other-language wording. Depending on the design, this may mean that the French portion also needs to be illuminated.

What SAC Members Should Know

Sign designers, manufacturers, installers, and clients should consider Quebec’s language requirements early in the design and permitting process.

Projects involving a trademark or business name in a language other than French should be reviewed carefully before fabrication or installation. Requirements can vary depending on the specific configuration of the sign and how it is viewed from public areas.

The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) should be consulted where there is uncertainty regarding compliance. AQIE also provides practical industry guidance for exterior commercial signage.

Resources

Office québécois de la langue française – Business names, trademarks and public signage
View OQLF guidance

Office québécois de la langue française – Legislative changes to the Charter of the French Language
Review the legislative changes

Association québécoise de l’industrie de l’enseigne – Commercial exterior signage and Bill 96
View AQIE guidance