French has always been Québec’s official language, but Bill 96 makes it the default language, especially online. This isn’t just about government services or store signage anymore. Language is now a legal matter for businesses operating digitally in Québec, not just a cultural courtesy.
The digital landscape is where Bill 96 tightens its grip most visibly. Websites, e-commerce platforms, apps, social posts, and automated emails must meet new French-language standards. What once passed as a bilingual effort now has to hit a far higher bar. Translation won’t cut it unless it’s front and centre, timely, and comprehensive. And for businesses using WordPress and other CMS platforms, this shift changes how digital presence is designed, structured, and delivered.
Breaking Down Bill 96: What the Law Requires Digitally
Why French must come first—and be everywhere
Bill 96 doesn’t ban English. It demands French be everywhere English is—and shown with equal or greater prominence. That means menus, sliders, buttons, FAQs, and checkout flows must all function in French without friction. A French user shouldn’t have to click five extra times to get what an English user sees instantly. It’s not a language toggle buried in the footer. It’s equal access from the start.
Beyond translation: Functionality and fairness
What’s often overlooked is that translation alone isn’t enough. A mirror copy of content in another language doesn’t guarantee equity. Imagine a bilingual bridge where one side has potholes. The structure exists, but it’s not equal. That’s what this law aims to prevent—half-baked versions of a digital experience. Every field label, system alert, downloadable PDF, or third-party plugin must offer full functionality in French.
The “no less favourable” rule and its ripple effects
One of the bill’s most powerful clauses is its insistence that French must be offered “under conditions no less favourable.” That’s not just a guideline—it’s a metric. It sets the bar for how businesses build interfaces and structure content. If a French-speaking visitor finds outdated promotions or broken links on the French side of a site, that’s no longer a UX issue—it’s a legal one.
Digital Content Now Counts as “Commercial Publications”
Under Bill 96, digital content—including websites, social media posts, newsletters, and even app copy—is now categorized as “commercial publications.” The same standards that once applied to print brochures now apply to every pixel of digital content aimed at the Québec public. That Instagram caption or CTA button in English-only? That’s technically non-compliant.
Who Needs to Comply – And What Triggers the Rules
Any business with a footprint in Québec, or simply customers who live there, falls within the bill’s scope. That includes Canadian companies outside Québec that sell products or services to Québec residents. The web doesn’t care about provincial borders, and neither does Bill 96. If Quebecers can find a business online, that business must speak their language—literally.
Key Deadlines for Bill 96 Compliance
The rollout is happening in phases. Larger organizations with over 100 employees were already required to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) and begin their francization program as of June 1, 2023. That deadline is behind us, but the next one is quickly approaching:
By June 1, 2025, companies with 25 or more employees in Québec must comply with the new requirements. That includes:
– Registering with the OQLF
– Undergoing a language compliance assessment
– Demonstrating that French is the default in digital communications, internal systems, and public-facing platforms
Even companies with fewer than 25 employees aren’t off the hook. Public complaints can trigger investigations at any time, and digital materials—especially websites and contracts—are already under scrutiny.
Enforcement, Fines, and the Cost of Getting It Wrong
Investigations and Inspections by the OQLF
The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) is the official government body responsible for promoting and protecting the French language in Québec. It enforces the Charter of the French Language (also known as Bill 101), and now Bill 96, which expands the Charter’s scope. The OQLF now has more muscle. It can inspect businesses proactively, not just in response to complaints. That includes checking websites for language compliance, reviewing UI components, and investigating whether online contracts or legal terms were properly presented in French.
New Fine Ranges and Legal Actions
The penalties aren’t symbolic. Companies face fines between $3,000 and $30,000 per violation. The law now allows Québec citizens to file lawsuits if they feel their right to French communication was ignored. Legal risk now comes from both the government and the public.
The Daily Penalty Structure for Digital Non-Compliance
Each day a non-compliant website remains live is a separate offence. That means a single landing page out of step with Bill 96 could cost thousands by the end of the week. And for companies with extensive digital content, the liability stacks quickly.
Where WordPress Fits Into the Picture
Multilingual Capabilities and Plugin Considerations
WordPress is well-positioned for multilingual compliance—but only when configured properly. Plugins like WPML, TranslatePress, and Polylang can handle dual-language setups. But the real differentiator is whether they’re implemented with parity in mind.
A French version of a page that loads slower, lacks metadata, or is missing key information won’t meet the Bill 96 bar. So, plugin choice matters—but how it’s used matters even more.
Designing with Language Parity in Mind
Design decisions affect compliance. If a site uses visual language selectors, French must be as visible and accessible as English. The site may appear non-compliant if English is prioritized in navigation or featured content blocks, even if a French translation exists.
Language equity must be built into the UX from the ground up, especially in WordPress themes that rely on custom menus or dynamic content.
Translating Everything – Not Just the Obvious
Beyond the main pages, every string of text needs attention. That includes:
– Form labels and error messages (e.g. from Gravity Forms or Contact Form 7)
– WooCommerce checkout flows and order confirmations
– Chatbot dialogues and support ticket confirmations
– Legal disclaimers, cookie notices, job postings
If it appears on screen, it should appear in French.
Building Multilingual WordPress Sites?
Know these key challenges.
What This Means for Pan-Canadian and Global Brands
One message, two (or more) paths
Brands operating across Canada—or globally—can’t afford to ignore how Québec’s regulations reshape content strategy. The same campaign might run in English in Alberta and French in Montreal, but it shouldn’t feel like an afterthought. The challenge isn’t just translation—it’s intent. Messaging needs to resonate in both languages while respecting the cultural weight behind them. It’s a dance of consistency and nuance.
Structuring digital ecosystems to accommodate complexity
Maintaining two (or more) language versions of a site doesn’t just require translators. It demands design thinking. CMSs need multilingual support. Developers must think in language branches. Marketers must align timing and tone across regions. Whether a business uses subfolders (/fr/, /en/) or subdomains (fr.example.com), SEO architecture has to reflect clarity, accessibility, and structure. Hreflang tags, bilingual sitemaps, translated metadata, and proper language attributes are now foundational. This approach boosts search visibility in both languages and signals to regulators that language compliance isn’t just skin-deep.
Multilingual strategy as a market-expansion tool
In the long run, businesses that build smart multilingual systems—especially ones that prioritize content parity and technical SEO hygiene—position themselves for growth. Whether reaching francophone audiences in other provinces or preparing for future localization in new markets, the frameworks built for Québec can serve as a launchpad. Bill 96 sets the standard, but it also opens the door.
Looking Ahead: Turning Compliance into Opportunity
Businesses that embrace French-language digital strategy aren’t just avoiding fines—they’re building trust with Québec audiences. They’re localizing experiences in ways that drive loyalty and engagement. And in a market where language is identity, that kind of effort matters. There’s no shortcut to compliance. But with the proper infrastructure—WordPress included—it becomes a natural extension of a modern, inclusive digital strategy.
While the penalties are real, so are the opportunities to lead with language. Trew Knowledge helps organizations translate legal requirements into digital realities. From multilingual WordPress solutions to seamless bilingual UX, we build platforms that meet the moment. Let’s keep things compliant, consistent, and bilingual—right from the start.
