Quebec’s language laws have always been a consideration for English-speaking residents, but Bill 96 — which took effect in stages starting June 2022 — significantly expanded French language requirements across nearly every aspect of life, including real estate transactions, mortgage documentation, and property ownership. If you are an English-speaking homebuyer considering a purchase in Quebec, here is what you need to know.
What Is Bill 96?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec |
| Passed | May 2022; provisions phased in through 2025 |
| What it amends | Quebec’s Charter of the French Language (originally Bill 101, 1977) |
| Core purpose | Strengthen the status and use of French as Quebec’s common language in business, government, education, and daily life |
| Enforcement body | Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) |
| Constitutional status | Invokes the notwithstanding clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms), shielding it from most Charter challenges |
How Bill 96 Affects the Home-Buying Process
Real Estate Contracts
| Document | Impact Under Bill 96 |
|---|---|
| Promise to Purchase (promesse d’achat) | Default language is French. Both parties can agree to use English by express consent |
| Counter-offers and amendments | Same as above — French default, English by agreement |
| Listing agreements | Real estate brokers must offer French versions; English available if requested |
| Seller’s declarations | French default; seller and buyer can agree to English |
| Notarial deed of sale (acte de vente) | Notary prepares in French by default. Can prepare in English if both parties consent. You may sign a waiver acknowledging your right to French documents |
How the Waiver Works
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. You request English documents | Tell your real estate broker and notary you want English-language documentation |
| 2. Waiver form | The notary presents a waiver — you sign it confirming you understand the documents are available in French and you are choosing English |
| 3. Both parties must agree | If the seller insists on French, the contract will be in French (with English translation for your reference but the French version is authoritative) |
| 4. Federal institutions exempt | If your lender is a federal bank, mortgage documents can be in English without a waiver — federal law overrides provincial language requirements for federal institutions |
Mortgage Documents
| Lender Type | Language Requirements |
|---|---|
| Federal banks (Big 6 + others) | Must offer services in both English and French (federal Official Languages Act applies). You can get your mortgage documents, correspondence, and statements in English |
| Provincial credit unions (Desjardins, caisses populaires) | Bill 96 applies — French is the default working language. English available on request |
| Mortgage brokers | Must be able to operate in French. Can serve you in English if they choose, but all regulatory filings and advertising must be in French or bilingual |
| CMHC / Sagen / Canada Guaranty | Federal or federally-regulated — bilingual services |
| Notary (for mortgage deed) | French default. English by consent of all parties. The hypothec (mortgage registration) deed is typically in French |
Working with Real Estate Professionals
| Professional | Language Under Bill 96 |
|---|---|
| Real estate broker | OACIQ-licensed brokers can serve you in English. Advertising and external communications default to French. Internal operations in French if the brokerage has 25+ employees |
| Notary | Notarial acts (deed of sale, mortgage deed) default to French. English version by consent. Many Montreal-area notaries are bilingual |
| Home inspector | No specific language requirement, but reports may default to French. Request an English-language report |
| Appraiser | Report language depends on who ordered it. Federal bank appraisals are typically available in English |
| Insurance broker | Provincial regulation — French default. English service available from most brokers in Montreal and other anglophone areas |
How Bill 96 Affects Property Ownership
Condo Ownership
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Declaration of co-ownership | Must be available in French. May also be available in English if the original was bilingual |
| Bylaw amendments | Published in French. English translations at the syndicate’s discretion |
| Annual general meeting notices | French default. Some syndicates provide bilingual notices |
| Meeting minutes | French default |
| Financial statements | French default |
| Communication from the syndicate | Primarily in French |
| Your rights | You can speak in English at meetings. You can request English translations, but the syndicate is not obligated to provide them unless stated in the declaration |
Municipal Interactions
| Interaction | Language |
|---|---|
| Property tax bills | French (municipalities under Bill 96 communicate in French). Some bilingual municipalities are exceptions |
| Building permits | Applications and approvals in French |
| Zoning inquiries | French |
| Property assessment notices | French |
| Municipal services | French (with some exceptions for recognized bilingual municipalities — but Bill 96 has tightened the criteria for bilingual status) |
Land Registry (Registre foncier)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title searches | Available through the registre foncier in French |
| Registered documents | Hypothecs (mortgages), deeds, and other registered documents are in the language they were originally filed in |
| Online services | French interface (RDPRM and registre foncier websites default to French) |
| Your lawyer/notary | Handles all land registry interactions on your behalf — language should not affect your experience directly |
Practical Impact by Buyer Scenario
English-Speaking Buyer from Another Province
| Situation | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Finding a broker | Many Montreal-area brokers are bilingual. Outside Montreal, French may be the primary language of service |
| Mortgage | Use a federal bank for fully bilingual mortgage services. A mortgage broker can also facilitate in English |
| Offer and sale | Your broker drafts the promise to purchase — request it in English. The seller must agree. In Montreal, this is rarely an issue. In francophone regions, expect French-first documentation |
| Notary | Choose a bilingual notary. In Montreal, many are available. In Quebec City and other areas, ask in advance |
| Closing | You will sign multiple documents. Ensure your notary provides English versions or clear English explanations of every document you sign |
| Post-purchase | Property tax, condo communications, municipal services in French. Plan accordingly |
Anglophone Quebecer (Born and Raised in Quebec)
| Situation | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Language rights | Historical anglophones have certain rights (education, health services) but Bill 96 does not create broad exemptions for real estate transactions |
| Real estate process | Similar to above — you can request English documents, but French is the default |
| Condo governance | If you’re buying in a historically anglophone building (Westmount, NDG, West Island), governance may already be bilingual. Newer buildings in francophone areas default to French |
| Government interactions | French default. Bill 96 limits the use of English even in historically bilingual municipalities |
Non-English, Non-French Speaker (Immigrant Buyer)
| Situation | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Document language | French is the default. English by agreement. Third languages (Mandarin, Arabic, Punjabi, etc.) are not available for legal documents |
| Translation | You can hire a certified translator to prepare a third-language translation for your reference, but the French version remains the authoritative legal document |
| Notary | Will conduct the signing in French (or English by agreement). A translator or interpreter may be needed |
| Newcomer programs | Federal bank newcomer mortgage programs operate in English and French |
Impact on Property Values and Market
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Migration | Bill 96 has contributed to some anglophone out-migration from Quebec (Statistics Canada data shows net interprovincial migration out of Quebec since 2022) |
| Demand in anglophone areas | Historically anglophone neighbourhoods in Montreal (Westmount, NDG, Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Kirkland) remain in demand |
| Business relocation | Some businesses relocated head offices out of Quebec, which may affect employment-driven housing demand in some areas |
| Pricing impact | Difficult to isolate — Montreal remains one of the most affordable major Canadian cities. Any Bill 96 price impact is overwhelmed by broader market dynamics |
| Investment consideration | For investors, Quebec’s affordability and strong rental market remain attractive despite language law complexity |
Key Steps for English-Speaking Buyers
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose a bilingual real estate broker | Essential. Verify they are comfortable working in English for all documentation |
| 2. Use a federal bank for your mortgage | Guarantees fully bilingual mortgage services under federal law |
| 3. Choose a bilingual notary | Ask upfront if they prepare documents in English. Get referrals from your broker |
| 4. Request English documentation explicitly | Do not assume — state your preference in writing at the outset |
| 5. Review all documents carefully | If documents are in French, have them translated before signing. Never sign a document you don’t fully understand |
| 6. Understand condo governance language | Before buying a condo, ask whether governance is bilingual. Review the declaration and recent minutes |
| 7. Budget for translation if needed | Professional translation costs $50–$150 per page for legal documents |
| 8. Consider location | Montreal Island, especially western areas, has the strongest English-language service infrastructure |
| 9. Get legal advice | A bilingual Quebec notary or lawyer can explain your rights and obligations under Bill 96 |
Frequently Misunderstood Points
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “I can’t buy a home in Quebec if I speak English” | False. English-speaking buyers purchase homes in Quebec every day. The process may require more proactive communication, but there are no legal barriers to ownership |
| “All mortgage documents must be in French” | False for federal banks. Provincial institutions default to French, but English is available on request |
| “My condo must communicate with me in English” | Not necessarily. The syndicate’s obligation is to communicate in French. English translations are at their discretion |
| “Bill 96 means all contracts must be in French” | Not exactly. French is the default, but parties can agree to use English (or any language) by express consent |
| “I need to speak French to deal with the notary” | You should choose a bilingual notary. Quebec has many, especially in Montreal. The signing can be conducted in English |
| “Bill 96 only affects Montreal” | It applies province-wide. The impact is felt more acutely in francophone regions where bilingual services are less common |