In what form and language do employment agreements have to be in Canada?



Modified on: Mon, 19 Jan, 2026 at 9:02 AM

Horizons uses employment agreements in written form in Canada. While oral agreements may be valid in some situations, having a written contract provides clarity and protection for both the employer and the employee by outlining the terms and conditions of employment.


Language Requirements for Employment Agreements

In addition to being in writing, the language of the employment agreement must comply with certain regional requirements:

  • For employees in Québec: All employment documents, including employment agreements and termination documents, must be bilingual (in both French and English). The French version of the agreement takes precedence over the English version in the event of any discrepancies or conflicts between the two.


For other provinces and territories, there are no specific language requirements, and English is used as single language. 

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