C-11 - Charter of the French language

Section 55 Disposition versions

2023-06-01

55. Contracts pre-determined by one party and the related documents, must be drawn up in French. The parties to such a contract may be bound only by its version in a language other than French if, after its French version has been remitted to the adhering party, such is their express wish. The documents related to the contract may then be drawn up exclusively in that other language.

No party may, unless the French version of the contract referred to in the first paragraph has been given to the other party and that party has explicitly expressed willingness in that regard,

(1)  make the other party adhere to a contract of adhesion drawn up in a language other than French; or

(2)  send the other party a document related to that contract if the document is drawn up in a language other than French.

No party to a contract referred to in the first or fifth paragraph may require from the other party any sum whatsoever for the drawing up of the French version of the contract or of the related documents.

The first paragraph does not apply to the contracts listed below and the related documents:

(1)  a contract of employment;

(2)  a contract referred to in the second paragraph of section 21 or in section 21.5, regardless of the cases and conditions prescribed by a regulation made under subparagraph 1 of the second paragraph of the latter section; and

(3)  a contract used in relations with persons outside Québec.

With the exception of a contract of employment, a contract of adhesion or a contract containing standard clauses to which the first paragraph does not apply, and the related documents, must be drawn up in French. They may be drawn up in another language if such is the parties’ express wish.

No party may, unless the other party has explicitly expressed willingness in that regard, enter into a contract referred to in the fifth paragraph that is drawn up in a language other than French or send the other party a document related to such a contract that is drawn up in a language other than French.

The provisions of Chapters I and II of Title V do not apply in a case of failure to comply with the fifth and sixth paragraphs.

1977, c. 5, s. 55; 2022, c. 14, s. 45.

1977-12-31

55. Contracts pre-determined by one party, contracts containing printed standard clauses, and the related documents, must be drawn up in French. They may be drawn up in another language as well at the express wish of the parties.

1977, c. 5, s. 55.