Selling on Shopify in Quebec: what the law requires in French
In Quebec, the first language your customer reads is French. What the law asks of your store, and how to do it gracefully.
5 min read
A Shopify store selling to Quebec consumers must be available in French, at least as accessible as any other language: pages, product pages, terms of sale and communications. Since June 1, 2025, generic and descriptive terms accompanying a trademark on a product must also be in French.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
Quebec’s Charter of the French language has governed commerce since 1977; Bill 96, passed in 2022, strengthened it in stages through June 1, 2025. Build these rules into a bilingual Shopify store from the start.
The principle: French first
Consumers have the right to be informed and served in French. Other languages can be added, as long as the French version isn’t hidden, incomplete or harder to find.
What has to be in French
Trademarks: what changed in 2025
A recognized trademark can stay in another language if no French version is registered. But its generic terms must now be in French: in a fictional mark like “Nordlight Room Diffuser,” “room diffuser” must appear in French. Products made before June 1, 2025 may, under conditions, be sold until June 1, 2027.
Terms of sale
Since June 1, 2023, customers receive the French version of adhesion contracts first, before choosing another language. On Shopify: terms of service, refund, shipping and privacy policies.
How Shopify helps
A store can publish up to 20 languages, each at its own URL (/en/ for English), with the tags Google reads. Shopify’s free Translate & Adapt app translates products, pages, menus and notifications; for a high-end brand, real copywriting beats machine translation. Don’t forget theme text, order emails and installed apps.
The most common oversights
English-only product pages. A language switcher no one can find. A unilingual newsletter pop-up. An order placed in French, confirmed in English. Machine translation never reviewed.
FAQ
Can an English-only store sell in Quebec? The Charter requires that consumers can be informed and served in French; a store targeting Quebec should offer a French version.
Does my brand name have to be translated? Not necessarily; its generic terms do.
Where is the official information? On the OQLF website.
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