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In 1977, Quebec passed Bill 101, also called the Charter of the French Language. The law’s main purpose is to protect the French language, which is a minority language in North America. It was René Lévesque’s government that passed this bill. (See Camille Laurin.) Bill 101 established French as the official language of the Quebec government. It applies to schools, courts and government services. It also establishes French as the language of everyday life in stores and at work.
This article is a plain-language summary of Bill 101. If you are interested in reading about this topic more in depth, please see our full-length entry, Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language).
Historical Background
As early as the 19th century, French-Canadian society noticed that the rights of francophones outside Quebec were often threatened. Access to education in French was limited or completely eliminated in several provinces, such as Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick. (See: Ontario Schools Question; Manitoba Schools Question; New Brunswick Schools Question.)
These difficulties reinforce a feeling of injustice. They encouraged French Canadian nationalism, or the idea that French Canadians were distinct from other Canadians. Over time, this nationalism led to stronger movements, such as the sovereignty movement and the creation of the Parti Québécois.
In 1963, Canada established the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. This commission also uncovered significant inequalities between anglophones and francophones. In 1965, francophones earned on average 35% less than anglophones. Most large companies were run by English speakers. French-language services were rare outside Quebec.
For many francophones in Quebec, protecting French became very important. It was an essential way to have greater economic, social and political control of their province. (See Francophone Nationalism in Quebec.)
First Language Laws in Quebec
Before Bill 101, other laws already attempted to strengthen the status of the French language.
In 1969, Bill 63 was adopted, requiring students attending English schools to also learn French.
In 1974, Robert Bourassa’s government passed Bill 22. This law established French as the official language of Quebec. It also required children of new immigrant families to attend French-language schools.
However, many nationalists felt that these laws were insufficient.
Adoption of Bill 101
In 1976, the Parti Québécois came to power and the French language became a priority. In 1977, Bill 101 was passed.
Initially, Bill 101 established the following:
- French is the official language of the government.
- French is the standard language of work and commerce.
- Immigrants must send their children to French schools.
- Commercial signage must be in French only.
Many francophones supported the law. However, it provoked strong opposition from many anglophones, who created pressure groups such as Alliance Québec.
Court Challenges
Bill 101 made some people unhappy. It was quickly challenged in court. Several decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada reduced the scope of the law.
In 1980, French could no longer be the only language used in courts and the National Assembly.
In 1984, the Court allowed certain children who had studied in English elsewhere in Canada to attend English schools in Quebec. The same year, the requirement to display only French signage in businesses was deemed contrary to freedom of expression.
Amendments to Bill 101
In response to the rulings, the government passed new laws to amend the Charter of the French Language.
In 1988, Bill 178 allowed bilingual signage inside businesses. Previously, everything had to be in French, according to Bill 101. The government did not want its law to be overturned down by the courts so it used the notwithstanding clause authorized by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This clause allowed for the government to limit certain rights, such as freedom of expression.
Later, the rules on signage were further modified. In 1993, Quebec passed Bill 86, allowing English on outdoor signs. However, French had to be more visible than other languages.
In 2004, the Quebec government passed Bill 104. This law aimed to prohibit students who were not anglophone from attending English-language private schools known as "bridging" schools. However, the courts overturned Bill 104. Bills 103 and 115 then imposed stricter regulations for these bridging schools.
Bill 96
In 2021, the Coalition Avenir Québec government introduced Bill 96. This bill again amended Bill 101. The government claimed that French language was in decline and needed to be better protected.
In 2022, Bill 96 came into force, including the following regulations:
- French is the exclusive language of government services (some exceptions are made for tourism, health care and immigrants during their first six months in Quebec);
- Access to English-language CEGEPs is limited to 17.5% of the total student population;
- English-speaking students are required to take more courses in French;
- The language rules extend to businesses with 25 or more employees. Previously, this provision only applied to companies with 50 or more employees.
The English-speaking and Indigenous communities have concerns about Bill 96. They worry that the law will limit access to services in English and give too much power to the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). In particular, the OQLF ensures that everyone complies with Bill 101, including the regulations on signage in French.
In addition, Quebec adopted Bill 96 using the notwithstanding clause. This clause allowed the government to disregard certain rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Many people have criticized the government for doing this.
