Quebec to Introduce French-Language Requirements for Streaming Platforms

The Minister of Culture and Communications for the National Assembly of Quebec, Mathieu Lacombe tabled a new bill on May 21, 2025, that would create rules for forcing streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Spotify to increase the “discoverability” of a certain amount of francophone content.

Bill 109 is described as “An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Quebec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment,” and its aim is to promote easy access to francophone digital content in Quebec.

According to the text of the bill, “the purpose of this Act is to promote discoverability of and access to original French-language cultural content in the digital environment.” The proposed Act would apply to all platforms offering access to audio-visual content, music, audiobooks, or podcasts.

In addition to streaming platforms, the legislation would apply to television manufacturers and manufacturers of devices that connect televisions to online streaming platforms. Under this legislation, these platforms and manufacturers would be obligated to provide user interfaces set to French as the default.

The bill, however, would not apply to social media platforms or content platforms specifically aimed at indigenous communities. If passed, it would give the government the power to establish regulations determining what counts as “French-language cultural content.” 

The proposed regulations would also determine the amount of content offered by streaming platforms that would have to be original French-language content or otherwise available in French, that is, both local and international francophone content would be impacted.

An article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) quoted Lacombe as saying, “This is the bet we are making, that is to say, to ally ourselves with the French-speaking community because [protecting French] is a common fight after all.”

In addition, non-compliant companies would risk financial penalties or fines. At the same time, Bill 109 would allow some digital platforms to negotiate equivalent “substitute measures” to allow them not to follow the specific regulations established by the government, while still complying with the intent of the bill. 

When asked (in English) at a press briefing how he intends the bill to change life for Quebecers, Lacombe stated, “Right now it’s not very easy for them [Quebecers] to find francophone content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+. So, the goal is really to make sure that there is some francophone content, and to make sure that it’s easy for them to find it. After, they can choose to watch, to listen [to] what they want, but we want them to have the choice.”

A Concern for International Francophones 

The same week this new bill was proposed, the 5th conference for culture ministers of the Francophonie was held in Quebec City. The event was co-organized by the government of Quebec and the international organization of the Francophonie (L’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, OIF).

At the conference, officials from participating member, associate, and observer states met to discuss issues mirroring the content of Quebec’s new bill, namely the “discoverability” of francophone digital content. 

According to an article from the OIF (in French), the participating officials closed the conference by issuing a declaration which “outlines the commitment of francophone states and governments to implement measures that encourage digital stakeholders, particularly platforms, to take steps to promote greater discoverability of French-language cultural content.”