How Quebec’s Bill 96 could impact English-speaking homebuyers

Quebec's Bill 96, which overhauls the province's language laws, requires that all mortgage documents be drawn up in French, regardless of whether signatories speak the language. As a result, Anglophone homebuyers and mortgage brokers could find it more difficult to complete mortgage deeds, refinancing documents, or home sale contracts. Under the new rules, businesses must respect a consumer's right to be served in French, which means that mortgage brokers and clients won't be able to add a clause to a document to sign it in English. Failure to comply with the legislation can lead to fines ranging from $3,000 to $30,000, with repeat offenders potentially losing their permits or other authorizations. The responsibility to translate contracts into English will fall on the client, with costs ranging from $400 to $1,200.