What does my Ontario corporation need to do to carry on business in Quebec?
An Ontario corporation that wants to carry on business in Quebec must register as an extra-provincial corporation with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ), Quebec's business registry. The registration process requires filing a declaration with the REQ and paying the applicable fee.
Beyond registration, Quebec has significant language requirements under the Charter of the French Language (often called "Bill 101" and its successor legislation). If your corporation operates in Quebec, commercial signage and advertising must generally be in French (English may appear alongside French under certain conditions). Contracts with Quebec employees must be in French. Internal corporate documents for Quebec employees, including contracts of employment and various communications, must also be in French. These language obligations apply to businesses operating in Quebec regardless of where they are incorporated.
Your Ontario corporate name may also need to be adapted for Quebec: if your name is in English only and you plan to operate publicly in Quebec, you may need a French version or a French-language business name registered for Quebec purposes. Quebec's language laws on corporate names are detailed and have evolved, so getting specific legal advice for your Quebec operations is advisable.
Key takeaways
- Ontario corporations carrying on business in Quebec must register with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
- Quebec's Charter of the French Language imposes French-language requirements on commercial signage, contracts, and communications.
- A French version of your corporate name may be required for Quebec operations.
- Legal advice specific to Quebec operations is strongly recommended given the language obligations.