Selling to Quebec contractors as a supplier, in French first

French first: what Bill 96 means for supplier marketing

For Quebec, French content is a requirement, not a courtesy. As described by the OQLF, the Charter of the French Language as amended by Bill 96 requires French to be clearly predominant in public signage and commercial advertising, and content for Quebec customers on websites and social media must be available in French. Since June 2025, non-French trademarks displayed outside premises must be accompanied by French terms.

What that changes for a supplier:

• Catalogue: French product names, descriptions, spec sheets and installation guides, not just a translated header.
• Ads: French-first search and social campaigns, with French landing pages.
• Branches: French listings, hours and signage-consistent names on every Quebec counter.
• Sales tools: French sell sheets and rebate summaries for reps and counter staff.

We plan this from day one. For legal interpretation, go to the OQLF or your own counsel; we do not give legal advice.

RBQ licences and the contractor buyer

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec requires anyone doing construction work for others to hold a licence with the right subclasses, unless exempted. Workers in the construction industry need competency certification from the CCQ.

For targeting, subclasses are useful. Electrical, plumbing, heating and refrigeration contractors each hold specific subclasses, so you can match product campaigns to the work they are licensed to do. When contractors join a dealer locator, asking for their RBQ licence number is a sensible trust step. We link the RBQ for context only.

An electric, heat pump market

Statistics Canada data shows that 70% of Quebec households used electricity for primary heating in 2023, with natural gas at 5% and wood at 4%. That flips the typical Canadian supplier catalogue.

• Electric baseboards, thermostats, electric boilers and controls deserve prominent, well-structured pages.
• Ductless and ducted heat pumps, including cold-climate units, are the growth lines.
• Gas equipment content still matters for specific regions, but at a smaller share.

Programs in Quebec, as of October 2026

LogisVert, run by Hydro-Québec, offered grants for ENERGY STAR heat pumps, with higher amounts for cold-climate units, plus geothermal and other measures. Hydro-Québec has noted the federal heat pump rebate expected in 2027 and says LogisVert requests are processed normally.

Rénoclimat changed on October 1, 2026, making the pre-retrofit evaluation optional and adding new caps. Chauffez vert stopped accepting applications after March 31, 2026, so older oil-replacement content should come down.

Contractors need a French page per program with eligible models and a link to the administrator. Readers should always confirm current rules there. This is a core part of our launch and rebate campaigns.

Seasonality and how we would work

Outside the St. Lawrence lowlands, Quebec winters get longer and harsher, which stretches the heating parts season for regional branches. Heat pump installs cluster in spring to autumn, while electric heating parts peak in winter.

Our approach: French-first product and catalogue SEO, RBQ-aware contractor acquisition, and French branch listings. We work with professional translators and native-speaking reviewers, and we keep English and French pages in step so a price or spec change never lands in only one language. See all provinces on the areas page, or call, text or email us via contact.