What to do after receiving an OQLF letter
An OQLF letter usually asks for facts: what the Office observed, what needs to be corrected, and when you should respond. Treat the first reply as a short, factual compliance update.
Read the request before drafting
Find the file number, response deadline, surfaces mentioned, and any specific wording about signage, website pages, social media, invoices, menus, labels, or customer service.
Do not send a defensive reply before you understand whether the letter asks for information, proof of correction, or a formal response.
Document corrections immediately
Take screenshots before and after changes. Save dates, URLs, captions, invoices, menu files, or photos of updated signs.
Your reply should describe concrete actions already taken and realistic next steps. Avoid promising corrections you cannot complete.
Keep the tone formal and narrow
A useful response acknowledges receipt, references the file number, summarizes the correction plan, and offers to provide proof.
For repeated notices, threatened penalties, or complex trademark/signage issues, ask a Québec lawyer to review the response.
Questions
Can I answer an OQLF letter in English?
For a Québec compliance matter, a French response is usually the safer operational choice. OQLFhelp generates a French draft you can review before sending.
Is the first response legal advice?
No. It is a factual draft based on your inputs. Use counsel for complex, repeated, or contested matters.
This guide is informational and is not legal advice. Review official sources and consult a Quebec lawyer for complex matters.