Canadian French Translation for U.S. Companies
Expanding into Canada or selling into Quebec? Asiatis is a Canadian agency delivering native Canadian French — Bill 96 compliant, billed in CAD, in your time zone. One partner from quote to delivery.
✅ Free quote · 🍁 Canadian agency (OTTIAQ / ATIO) · 💵 Pay in CAD · 🕐 EST/CST time zones
Why do U.S. companies hire a Canadian translation agency?
Three reasons: you get native Canadian French (not France French, which Quebec audiences notice), you stay compliant with Quebec's Bill 96 when selling there, and billing in Canadian dollars from a North American partner usually costs less than a U.S. vendor — with no time-zone gap.
- Native Canadian French (fr-CA) — terminology, tone and culture built for Quebec
- Bill 96 / OQLF compliance for websites, packaging, labels and signage
- Favorable CAD billing for USD budgets — North American nearshore rates
- Same time zones (EST/CST), USMCA-ready documents, certified translators
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Canadian French is not France French
The two share about 95% of their vocabulary — but the remaining 5% is exactly what a Quebec customer notices. Shipping France French into Canada reads as foreign and, for regulated content, can fail compliance.
Different everyday words
“Courriel” not “e-mail”, “magasinage” not “shopping”. Quebec keeps distinct terms where France borrows from English — and vice-versa.
Local culture & references
Quebec has its own media, idioms and consumer habits. Marketing that lands in Paris can fall flat in Montreal.
Formatting & conventions
Spacing, punctuation and number conventions differ. Native Canadian linguists apply the right ones automatically.
Regulatory fit
For Quebec, French is a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have. Canadian French done right protects you under Bill 96.
Selling into Quebec? Bill 96 applies to you
Quebec's Bill 96 requires French on virtually everything a customer sees — even for products warehoused elsewhere in Canada but sold online into Quebec. Non-compliance carries fines from $3,000 to $30,000 per offense.
- Product packaging, labels, warranties and user manuals in French
- French at least as prominent as English (often markedly predominant)
- Website, e-commerce and Quebec-targeted ads available in French
- Descriptive terms inside trademarks now require translation (2025 rules)
We audit your exposure and translate what needs translating — entirely remotely.
The cost & nearshore advantage
Bill in CAD
For a USD budget, paying a Canadian agency in Canadian dollars typically stretches further than an equivalent U.S. onshore vendor.
Same time zones
We work EST/CST. Real-time calls, same-day replies — none of the overnight lag of offshore providers.
North American standards
Certified translators (OTTIAQ / ATIO), USMCA-ready documents, and a business culture aligned with your team.
What we translate for U.S. companies entering Canada
Websites & e-commerce
Full Canadian-French localization of your site, store, checkout and product copy.
Packaging & labels
Bill 96-compliant labels, packaging, warranties and instructions for the Quebec shelf.
Marketing & ads
Transcreation of campaigns, landing pages and social content for Quebec audiences.
Contracts & legal
Certified translation of contracts, terms, policies and corporate documents.
Technical & manuals
User guides, spec sheets and technical documentation for products and machinery.
HR & internal
Employee handbooks, job postings and policies for your Canadian workforce.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Canadian French or France French for the Canadian market?
Canadian French (fr-CA). France French is understood but reads as foreign in Quebec, and for regulated content it can miss local terminology and Bill 96 expectations. Native Canadian linguists are the safe choice.
- Native Canadian French translators
- Quebec terminology and culture
- Bill 96-aware wording
Will using a Canadian agency actually save us money?
Often, yes. With a USD budget, paying in Canadian dollars to a nearshore Canadian partner generally costs less than an equivalent U.S. onshore vendor, while avoiding the quality and time-zone trade-offs of offshore providers.
- CAD billing for USD budgets
- Nearshore rates, no overnight lag
- No offshore quality trade-off
Can you make our product Bill 96 compliant for Quebec?
We audit your packaging, labels, website and communications, then translate everything required into compliant Canadian French. Final legal interpretation rests with the OQLF or your counsel, but we handle the linguistic work end to end.
- Audit + translation in one place
- Labels, packaging, web, ads
- Remote, fast turnaround
Are your certified translations accepted in both the U.S. and Canada?
Yes. Our certified translators (OTTIAQ / ATIO) produce certified translations accepted by Canadian authorities, courts and businesses, and widely accepted for U.S. and cross-border (USMCA) use.
- OTTIAQ / ATIO certified
- Accepted across Canada
- Cross-border / USMCA documents
How do we work together across the border?
Entirely remotely. You send files or URLs; we quote, translate and deliver. We work North American business hours (EST/CST), so calls and approvals happen in real time, not overnight.
- 100% remote workflow
- EST/CST working hours
- Real-time collaboration
How do we pay — USD or CAD?
We invoice in Canadian dollars, which is what creates the savings for USD-funded budgets. We provide clear quotes up front so you can compare against any U.S. vendor before committing.
- Invoiced in CAD
- Transparent upfront quotes
- Easy comparison vs U.S. vendors
Asiatis provides documentary and linguistic services. Information about Bill 96 obligations and penalties is provided for guidance; the official interpretation of your obligations and any certificate of francization rests with the OQLF or your legal advisor.