Bill 96
Understanding Bill 96: Impacts on Education at TAV College
Quebec’s recent Bill 96, “An Act Respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec” (Chapter 14), aims to strengthen the French language charter (Bill 101). Under Bill 101, access to publicly funded English elementary and secondary high schools in Quebec was limited to those with a certificate of eligibility, while English CEGEPs remained open to everyone. With the implementation of Bill 96, English college-level institutions are making changes in admission policies and language requirements.
How does Bill 96 impact the English colleges?
- Admission Priorities: Certificate of Eligibility holders will have admission priority*
- French Exit Exam: Students without a Certificate of Eligibility must now pass the French Exit Exam, a new requirement aimed at fostering language proficiency.
- Language Enhancement: Bill 96 mandates additional French language courses or program-specific courses in French, to acquire sufficient skills to use French as the common language.
- Enrollment Caps: Fixed caps on the number of students enrolled in English colleges.
*IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ANYONE CAN APPLY TO STUDY AT TAV COLLEGE. WE STILL ACCEPT PEOPLE WHO DON’T HOLD CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY.
Who is affected by Bill 96?
All students admitted starting the Fall 2023 semester with the exception of Springboard to DEC students. If you are in the process of changing your program, you will also fall under this condition.
How does Bill 96 affect DEC students?
For students pursuing Diplomas of Collegial Studies (DEC), Bill 96 introduces mandatory language requirements:
- With Certificate of Eligibility: Students with a Certificate of Eligibility must take and pass two complementary courses and one program-specific course. They will need to pass the English Exit Exam to graduate.
- Without a Certificate of Eligibility: Students who don’t have a Certificate of Eligibility must take and pass three French Literature courses, one complementary course, and one program-specific course. Students without eligibility will now be required to pass the French Exit Exam (Épreuve uniforme de français) to graduate.
How does Bill 96 affect AEC students?
As of July 2023, all individuals enrolled in the AEC program in English must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French to obtain their attestation. Individuals holding a certificate of eligibility for instruction in English are exempt from this requirement.
The following skills will be evaluated using the Quebec scale of French proficiency levels (Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français): oral comprehension (listening), oral production (speaking), written comprehension (reading) and written production (writing). The scale has 12 levels for each skill, and these levels are divided into three levels: beginner (levels 1 to 4), intermediate (levels 5 to 8), and advanced (levels 9 to 12).
The Ministry regulations require more advanced oral than written skills:
- Speaking and listening : Level 7 (B2)
- Reading and writing : Level 4 (A2)
TAV College requires proof of this level of French language proficiency BEFORE the start of the program OR DURING the program. This proof will be placed in the students’ file. Students can have access to francization services before, during and after their studies.
Recognized French Language Tests :
TEFAQ : Test d’évaluation du français adapté pour le Québec (Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris Île-de-France, CCIP-IDF);
TCF-Québec : Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (France Éducation international);
TCF-Canada : Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (France Éducation international);
TEF : Test d’évaluation du français (CCIP-IDF);
TEF Canada : Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada (CCIP-IDF);
TCF : Test de connaissance du français (France Éducation international);
DELF : Diplôme d’études en langue française (France Éducation international);
DALF : Diplôme approfondi de langue française (France Éducation international).
Period of validity
All standardized tests have a validity period. A test that is no longer valid will not be accepted by TAV College. However, an attestation that was valid at the time of admission, but is no longer valid because studies have been extended, will be recognized. A student who has demonstrated attainment of levels 7 and 4 will not have to retake a standardized test.
Level equivalence: Quebec and European scales
| Quebec Scale of French Language Proficiency Levels | Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (CECRL)* | |
| Beginner (Débutant) | Level 1 | A1 |
| Level 2 | ||
| Level 3 | A2 | |
| Level 4 | ||
|
Intermediate (Intermédiaire) |
Level 5 | B1 |
| Level 6 | ||
| Level 7 | B2 | |
| Level 8 | ||
| Advanced (Avancé) | Level 9 | C1 |
| Level 10 | ||
| Level 11 | C2 | |
| Level 12 |
* Common European framework of reference for languages
Navigating Bill 96 as an International Student
Alternative Paths at TAV College Exempt from Bill 96 Impact
TAV College offers the Grade 12 Study Option program for those seeking an alternative path. This unique one-year program allows students to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) taught by experienced college professors within a Quebec college setting. The program, comprising seven courses, fulfills university admission prerequisites in Quebec, Canada, and internationally. Find out more about our grade 12 program here.
Updated: Novemeber 29, 2023