Québec introduces Bill 109 on discoverability of French-language content on digital platforms

On May 21, 2025, Québec’s Minister of Culture et des Communications (Minister) tabled Bill 109, An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment (the Bill). The Bill would impose French-language content discoverability and interface requirements and quotas on “digital platforms” and manufacturers of TVs and connected devices. The Bill would also amend the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms to create a right to discoverability of and access to original French-language cultural content.

In addition to providers of video and audio streaming services and TV manufacturers, social media platforms and manufacturers of gaming consoles and media players are also subject to these requirements. There are no exclusions for platforms offering user generated content, platforms without a significant user-base in Québec, platforms without significant revenue from Québec or platforms providing educational or corporate videos. Although the Bill does allow for exceptions to be introduced through regulations, no indication has been provided on how this authority may be used.

As the Québec National Assembly has adjourned for the summer, now is a good time for organizations to consider how the Bill may impact their operations and whether to take steps to influence how the Bill evolves.

Read our Osler Update from François Joli-Coeur, Michael Fekete, Alexandre Fallon, and Marguerite Rolland for a detailed analysis of the Bill’s key provisions, risks, and next steps for stakeholders.

This content has been updated on July 21, 2025 at 13 h 04 min.