PERT Study: French Training Falls Short for English Speakers in Québec’s Regions

Bill 96 raises the stakes, highlighting the need for better language support in Québec’s regions.

Montréal, March 26, 2026 — English speakers in Québec’s regions are eager to master French, but the training available is currently insufficient to prepare them for the moments that matter most — at work, in hospitals, and in daily life.

A new analysis by the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) finds that while motivation is high, resources are poorly adapted to the realities of regional learners, leaving a willing population unable to fully contribute to Québec’s economy and society. PERT recommends targeted actions to close these gaps, including expanding training and strengthening adult education, to ensure English speakers can fully participate in the workforce.

The report comes at a moment of heightened urgency. Under Bill 96 (An Act respecting French, the official language of Québec), medium and large businesses must use French in internal communications, employment documents, and customer interactions, making proficiency in French critical for daily work and career advancement. Nearly four in five English speakers outside urban centers are required to use French on the job, yet many lack the confidence and skills necessary to thrive.

“English-speaking Quebecers in Québec’s regions want to participate fully in the labour force, society, and culture, but gaps in French-language training are leaving them behind,” said Nicholas Salter, Executive Director at PERT. “Overlooking the need to equip this talent is a mistake Québec cannot afford at a time when workers are in high demand.”

The findings are drawn from PERT’s Regional French Language Needs Assessment Survey of more than 650 English-speaking Quebecers in regions across the province. Survey results show that the current language training ecosystem isn’t fully preparing learners for high-stakes situations such as healthcare, legal services, or workplace communication.

Key Findings:

• High motivation: 80% studied French in school; two-thirds continued as adults. Most want to improve for cultural and economic reasons.
• Training gaps: Programs often fail to prepare learners for high-stakes situations, including healthcare, legal services, and workplace communication.
• Workplace demands: 79% must use French on the job, yet only 39% have worked in majority French-speaking workplaces in the past decade.

Policy Recommendations:

• Expand sector-specific French training tailored to the realities of regional life.
• Strengthen adult education and employment centers serving English speakers, particularly in rural areas.
• Develop a practical language learning strategy to support all English speakers, with attention to women, youth, and visible minorities, ensuring they can participate fully in the workforce.

Unlocking this potential would strengthen social cohesion, equip Québec with the labour it urgently needs, and generate $1.5 billion a year for the province’s economy.

Media Contact:

Chad Walcott
Director of Engagement & Communications
chad@pertquebec.ca
1-855-773-7885

About PERT:
The Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder initiative focused on addressing the employment and employability challenges facing Québec’s English-speaking community.