Nearly 10,000 inspections carried out as province intensifies enforcement of language laws
Montreal, QC – Quebec’s Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) has significantly stepped up its enforcement of the province’s French language laws, conducting close to 10,000 inspections in the past year. This marks a 47 per cent increase compared to the 2022–2023 period, reflecting the government’s growing determination to ensure compliance with linguistic requirements across the province’s business sector.
According to the OQLF’s annual report, made public on Thursday, a total of 9,813 inspections were carried out between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. This surge in inspections corresponds with a record number of complaints from the public as well as proactive surveillance measures undertaken by the agency.
Between last April and this March, the office received 10,371 complaints, many of which were related to businesses failing to provide services in French, either in person or online, as well as non-compliance with French-language signage and website regulations. Under Quebec’s language laws, French must be the predominant language on all commercial signs, including store fronts and advertising materials.
The province’s intensified inspection campaign forms part of a broader effort to uphold the Charter of the French Language, which aims to protect and promote French as Quebec’s official language. The government has in recent years expanded the powers and resources of the OQLF to more rigorously monitor business practices and address infractions.
This increase in enforcement comes amid heightened public debate around language policy in Quebec, particularly regarding how it affects businesses, newcomers, and the province’s cultural identity. The OQLF’s report highlights not only the growing volume of complaints from residents but also the agency’s shift toward a more proactive inspection model, rather than relying solely on public reporting.
The OQLF’s findings and actions underscore Quebec’s continued commitment to preserving the French language in commercial, cultural, and digital spaces throughout the province.