Quebec runs its own corporate registry and its own rules — including a language requirement that doesn't apply anywhere else in Canada. If you're incorporating a business that will operate in Quebec, here's what's different, what it costs, and how the process works.
Quebec Has Its Own Registry: The Registraire des entreprises
Unlike most provinces, which route incorporation through a Business Registry or Companies Office, Quebec incorporations are filed with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ). You can still incorporate federally instead (through Corporations Canada) and simply register extra-provincially in Quebec to operate there — many businesses do exactly that to avoid Quebec-specific requirements while still doing business in the province.
The French-Language Name Requirement
This is the single biggest difference between Quebec and every other Canadian jurisdiction. Under Quebec's Charter of the French Language, a corporation operating in Quebec generally needs its name to be in French, or to have a French version registered alongside any other-language name it uses. A numbered company (e.g., "12345678 Québec Inc.") sidesteps this requirement entirely, which is why numbered companies are especially common for Quebec incorporations.
This requirement extends beyond just your legal name — Quebec's language laws also affect signage, packaging, and your public-facing business presence. If Quebec is a core market (not just a jurisdiction you're technically registered in), it's worth involving a Quebec-licensed lawyer or notary to confirm your specific name and branding comply — this is one area where the stakes of getting it wrong are higher than a typical provincial filing.
Quebec Incorporation Costs (2026)
| Item | Cost | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec provincial incorporation (Articles of Constitution) | $397 CAD | Registraire des entreprises |
| OR Federal incorporation | $200 CAD | Corporations Canada |
| Extra-provincial registration (if incorporating federally) | Fee varies | Registraire des entreprises |
| SimplyfyBiz service fee (Premium) | from $249 CAD | SimplyfyBiz |
Government fees are approximate and subject to change without notice. Always verify the current fee directly with the Registraire des entreprises before filing. These fees are separate from SimplyfyBiz service fees. See our pricing →
What You Need to File
- Corporate name — in French, or with a registered French version (see above), or a numbered company
- Registered office address in Quebec
- Directors — at least one, no Quebec-specific residency requirement beyond Canada's general rules for federal corporations if you go that route
- Share structure — same fundamentals as any other provincial incorporation
Once filed, you receive a Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ) — Quebec's equivalent of the registry number you'd get in any other province, used to identify your business in provincial systems.
Quebec Sales Tax: QST Plus GST
Quebec doesn't use HST like Ontario or the Atlantic provinces. Instead, businesses collect both GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) — a combined rate of roughly 14.975%. QST is administered by Revenu Québec, not the CRA, which means Quebec businesses typically need to register separately with Revenu Québec in addition to their federal CRA Business Number. The same $30,000 revenue threshold that triggers mandatory GST/HST registration elsewhere in Canada also applies to QST registration in Quebec.
Should You Incorporate Federally Instead?
If your business will operate primarily outside Quebec, or across several provinces including Quebec, federal incorporation followed by extra-provincial registration in Quebec is often simpler — you avoid the direct name-language requirement on your core corporate registration (though Quebec's language laws around signage and public communication may still apply to a federally incorporated business physically operating there). If Quebec is your primary or only market, provincial incorporation through the REQ is usually the more natural fit. See our full comparison of federal vs. provincial incorporation for the broader tradeoffs beyond the Quebec-specific language question.
After Incorporating in Quebec
Quebec corporations must file an annual updating declaration with the Registraire des entreprises to keep their information current — similar in spirit to the Annual Return required in every other province, but under Quebec's own filing system and timeline. Missing this filing can result in the same risk as elsewhere: involuntary dissolution of the corporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a French name to incorporate in Quebec?
Not necessarily a French-only name, but your name generally needs a French version registered if you use another language, unless you incorporate as a numbered company. This is a legal area worth confirming with a Quebec-licensed professional if brand naming matters to your business.
Can I incorporate federally and still operate in Quebec?
Yes. Federal corporations operating in Quebec still need to register extra-provincially with the Registraire des entreprises, and Quebec's language laws around public-facing communication can still apply to the business's operations even if the core incorporation is federal.
Does SimplyfyBiz handle Quebec incorporation?
Yes — SimplyfyBiz handles both provincial incorporation through the Registraire des entreprises and federal incorporation with Quebec extra-provincial registration, starting at $249 CAD (plus government filing fees). Learn more about our incorporation service →