Companies fear the effects of the language bill on Quebec

Bill 96 would impose stricter regulations for small businesses and for federally regulated corporations such as banks and telecommunications. It should be used before the summer holidays.

Tens of thousands of businesses will no longer be exempted from the French Charter.

In particular, the bill provides for the francization of all businesses with at least 25 employees. To date, this measure only applies to companies with at least 50 employees. It gives new powers to the Office of the French language (OLF), which can investigate any internal complaints or grievances from the public. The OLF may request to form a francization committee in a company with 25 to 100 employees.

A section would require employers to take over reasonable way to avoid the imposition of a knowledge requirement of a language other than French in order to access or maintain a position. The current Charter allows an employer to do this if the realization of the task requires such knowledge.

Various employers or trade associations fear that future legislation will hurt an economy, which is betting on exports. They fear a new release of companies.

Quebec companies should be able to hire bilingual employees and offer English services to their customers from outsidecommented Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

We want companies to determine for themselves when they need to hire bilingual staff.

The bill would also require the use of French in drafting certain documents, such as employment contracts.

This is unreasonable. Many Quebec companies trade with other companies around the worldadded Mr. Leblanc, recognizing that the French needed to be protected in some way.

More and more businesses want to take students, many of whom are from outside the country. Some may stay even after graduation. This door will be closed to them because they don’t speak proper French, he said.

OFL estimates the number of companies with 25 to 49 employees at approximately 20,000.

Upcoming conflicts

Companies are also afraid of potential legal disputes that the application of the law could provoke.

Currently, non -compliance with the Charter leads to negotiations between the violating company and the OFL. Bill 96 changes the process.

A Quebecer who believes a company has not respected its rights under the French Charter could sue, said Alexandre Fallon, a partner at law firm Osler, in Montreal. Even if an agreement is reached with the regulator, private lawsuits can be launched.

A customer service interaction, an invoice, a brochure, packaging, a menu or advertising, all of these can be the basis of a lawsuit.

Small and large companies are very worried about thisunderlined Me Fallon.

Various groups, such as the Quebec Retail Council, Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec or the Canadian Council of Innovators, are asking the Quebec government to soften certain policies, specifically regarding francization.