Nearly one-third of Quebec employers have changed their hiring practices in response to Law 14, with many reducing or stopping the hiring of English-speaking candidates entirely, according to a new survey released Tuesday.
Law 14 affirms that French is the only official language of Quebec and the common language of the Quebec nation.
The survey by the Advisory Committee for English-speaking Quebecers found that 32 per cent of employers have altered their hiring approaches since the law’s introduction. More than one in five employers now express concern about hiring English speakers, while more than 10 per cent have reduced retention of English-speaking employees or let them go due to compliance concerns and fear of penalties.
The research, conducted by Léger and based on responses from over 500 Quebec employers, provides insight into how policy changes affect hiring decisions across the province. It adds to previous research showing English speakers in Quebec face higher unemployment and lower incomes compared to French-speaking residents.
Limited awareness of support programs
Despite government-funded francization programs designed to help workers improve their French skills, only 19 per cent of employers know these programs exist. Even fewer employers actually use them, the survey found.
Cost remains a significant barrier for employers who want to offer French training internally, leaving many without tools to access qualified English-speaking workers.
“Employers need clarity and support in navigating these requirements. Right now, they’re pulling back out of caution. That’s a missed opportunity,” said CCQEA President John Buck.
Disconnect between policy and reality
The findings reveal a gap between available support programs and employer awareness, Buck said. While some programs exist, many employers don’t know about them or lack sufficient support to implement them effectively.
“These findings point to a disconnect between policy and employer realities,” Buck said. “Some programs exist on paper, but more are clearly needed. Employers often aren’t aware of those that do exist, or aren’t sufficiently supported in implementing them.”
The research suggests Quebec may be missing opportunities to grow its workforce by not fully utilizing qualified English-speaking talent.
“There’s real potential for workforce growth that we’re not realizing. We’re seeing signals of demand and willingness on both sides, but we currently risk sidelining qualified talent that could contribute meaningfully to Quebec’s economy,” Buck said.
About the research
The Advisory Committee for English-speaking Quebecers operates within Quebec’s Commission des partenaires du marché du travail and Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. The committee works to promote job market integration and retention of English-speaking Quebecers.
The survey builds on previous CCQEA research documenting employment challenges facing Quebec’s English-speaking communities, including higher rates of unemployment and income disparities compared to French speakers.
