Exemplarity in Terms of the French Language at the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)
Role of the civil administration
The civil administration serves citizens in French to play its role in protecting the French language in Québec.
Under the general principle of exemplarity, all of the civil administration’s communication is to be conducted exclusively in French. This applies in particular to the language of public services. To learn more, consult the page Modernization of the Charter of the French Language.
In some situations, the ministries can use a language other than French.
Receiving services in a language other than French
Since June 1, 2023, public services are delivered exclusively in French, with some exceptions. In accordance with the exemplarity of the State, the temporary measures (sunset provisions) will end on December 1, 2025. The planned provisions will then be applied in full.
The Directive du MIFI relative à l’utilisation d’une autre langue que le français (MIFI directive on the use of a language other than French) specifies the situations in which a language other than French can be used. Here is an overview of the main exceptions that may apply during an interaction between a citizen and a person who represents the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
You can indicate to us if one of the exceptions under the Charter applies to you. A supporting document is not currently required if you declare on your honour that you qualify for services in a language other than French.
Immigrants
The Ministère may use another language in addition to French to provide welcome services to immigrants. This exception applies during the first six months following their arrival in Québec.
Persons who communicated solely in English with the civil administration prior to May 13, 2021
The Ministère may continue to provide service in English to any person with whom it communicated solely in English prior to May 13, 2021 with regard to a matter concerning that person.
Persons declared eligible to receive instruction in English
The Ministère may communicate in English with persons declared eligible to receive instruction in English and who have been issued a Certificate of eligibility to receive instruction in English by the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (Ministry of Education).
However, this exception does not apply to the children of foreign nationals who are staying in Québec temporarily (foreign students and temporary foreign workers) and who have received authorization to receive instruction in English (document entitled Eligibility for instruction in English – Temporary authorization).
Indigenous people
The Ministère may use another language in addition to French to communicate with Indigenous people (First Nations and Inuit).
Services provided outside Québec
The Ministère may provide services to people in another language in addition to French when these services are provided outside Québec.
Learning French
The Ministère may use another language in addition to French when writing to communicate with a person eligible for French learning services for the purposes of their registration and for subsequent steps required for their progress.
Legal persons and enterprises established outside Québec
The Ministère may communicate in writing in another language in addition to French when addressing a legal person or an enterprise with no head office or establishment in Québec.
See also
Last update: November 10, 2025