quebecQC-596First Reading

QC-596: Bill 596: An Act to reinforce the integrity and protection of human rights and freedoms

Sponsor: Haroun BouazziIntroduced May 7, 2026Last checked August 30, 2026

What this bill does

This Quebec bill restricts when the National Assembly can use the notwithstanding clause to override the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, limiting its use to situations of serious public peril or French/Indigenous language protection, and requires a two-thirds supermajority vote plus mandatory court opinions, ministerial reports, and public consultations before any override can pass.

Plain-language summary by Legisail.

Business impact

Compliance

This bill primarily affects the legislative and governmental process rather than businesses directly, but it has indirect implications for any Quebec business or industry that operates under laws passed using the notwithstanding clause — such as language law requirements enforced through Bill 96. Businesses in Quebec, particularly those in retail, hospitality, professional services, or any customer-facing industry subject to French language obligations, could be affected if future language-related legislation becomes harder to enact or renew. The bill limits how easily the Quebec government can pass laws that override charter rights, meaning any business sector that has benefited from — or been burdened by — override-backed legislation faces potential changes to that regulatory landscape. Smaller businesses with limited legal resources may find it harder to anticipate or plan around a more complex and slower-moving legislative environment for rights-impacting laws.

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Where this bill is

First Reading