November 26, 2025 - 10:46 AM

Quebec Introduces New Linguistic Requirements for Employers Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers

The Government of Quebec has announced significant regulatory amendments aimed at strengthening the use of French in the workplace. These measures impose new obligations on employers participating in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), further increasing the administrative and compliance burden on businesses operating in Quebec.

Strengthened French-Language Requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers

Effective December 17, 2025, Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) who have been in Quebec for three years or more (excluding those in the agricultural sector,) will be required to demonstrate oral French proficiency at Level 4 of the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (EQNCF).

A transitional period applies to TFWs already present in Quebec, with a final compliance deadline of December 17, 2028.

New Compliance Obligations for Employers

These changes apply exclusively to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), meaning cases involving:

  • a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and
  • a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).

They do not apply to work permits issued under:

  • Free Trade Agreements (e.g., CUSMA/USMCA),
  • Intra-company transfers, or
  • Other categories based on significant benefit to Canada.

Employers must now:

  • Formally commit to supporting the French-language learning (francisation) of their TFWs.
  • Inform workers of all available francization resources and programs.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all linguistic obligations under the Charte de la langue française.

Non-compliance may result in administrative penalties.

To ensure timely compliance and avoid penalties, we recommend that employers:

  • Review and update internal processes: Integrate the new linguistic obligations into all hiring and onboarding procedures for TFWs.
  • Identify impacted employees: Determine which foreign workers have been in Quebec for three years or more and assist them in planning a pathway to reach EQNCF Level 4 before December 17, 2028.
  • Update and revise all relevant documentation to include references to francisation obligations and compliance with the Charte de la langue française.:
    • employment contracts,
    • job offers,
    • support letters,
    • LMIA/CAQ templates, and
    • internal policies

How We Can Assist

Our team can assist with:

  • auditing your current foreign-worker population,
  • assessing which employees will be subject to the new requirements,
  • integrating francisation pathways into HR processes, and
  • updating all documentation to ensure full compliance with the revised regulatory framework.

We remain available to answer any questions or to help you implement these changes promptly.