Bill 96 will impose stricter regulations on small businesses and for organizations under federal jurisdiction like banks and telecommunication companies. Tens of thousands of businesses would no longer be exempt from the Charter of the French Language.
The bill would require francisation for all companies with at least 25 employees, reducing the threshold from 50. It also gives the Office québécois de la langue française the power to investigate any internal or public complaint. The OQLF could require a francisation committee be created in any company of 25 to 100 employees.
An article would require employers take “reasonable measures” to avoid requiring employees know any language but French. The current charter allows an employer to require proficiency in other languages if “the nature of the duties requires such knowledge.”
