Quebec’s language protection office conducted nearly 10,000 inspections in the past year in its ongoing efforts to enforce language regulations on businesses. Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, a total of 9,813 inspections were carried out, showing a 47% increase from the previous period.
This information was disclosed in the office’s recent annual report. The inspections were triggered by a surge in complaints and proactive monitoring by the office. During this period, a total of 10,371 complaints were received, marking a 14% increase from the previous year and a substantial 140% rise compared to five years ago.
The annual report highlighted the growing public concern for preserving the French language and upholding linguistic rights, as indicated by the record number of complaints. Most complaints were related to the lack of French language services in stores, public places, and insufficient French content on commercial websites and signs.
In almost 94% of cases, businesses found in violation of the language law made necessary corrections following complaints. The office noted a significant increase in complaints regarding the absence of French-speaking staff in stores and public services, which accounted for 40% of all complaints, up from 25% five years ago.
Expenses for the office reached $49 million in the past year, compared to $44 million in the preceding year. This surge in expenses primarily supported complaint handling and compliance monitoring under the new language law. The office has prioritized surveillance efforts, targeting businesses in the greater Montreal area with a goal of conducting 1,200 inspections by March 31, 2026.
The intensified operations follow new requirements implemented earlier in the year, mandating that French occupies twice the space of other languages on storefront signs and advertisements. The updated law also stipulates rules for French usage in product packaging and requires businesses with at least 25 employees to adopt French as the primary language in the workplace.
By March 31, a total of 14,366 businesses in Quebec had registered for the “francization” process with the language watchdog, an increase from the previous year. Businesses failing to comply with the language law face fines ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 per day for initial violations, escalating up to $90,000 per day for repeated offences.