Honoring French Language and Culture at Lockheed Martin Canada
In Montreal, Lockheed Martin has a dedicated Francization Committee that leads efforts to support that culture in the workplace. Its mandate is tied to Quebec’s language laws, Bill 101 and Bill 96, which require companies with more than 50 employees in the province to implement structured plans for using French in the workplace.
Its work includes making sure internal documentation and employee communications are available in French, and that employees can carry out their work in French where appropriate. Rosetta Stone licenses and private French-language instruction are available to staff who need support. Conference rooms have been renamed in French, and a review is underway to assess translating English-only marketing content.
Most employees speak English because it’s the primary language of most clients and Canadian colleagues across the network. However, in the Montreal office, that doesn’t stop people from using French at lunch or in meetings.
“Using French doesn’t hold us back,” said Luc. “It connects us to the people we work with and the place we live.”
Recent updates from the Francization Committee include adding French interfaces to office printers and expanding access to French-language templates and policies. Approximately 25 percent of internal documents are now available in French, with a goal to reach 100 percent by March 2026. The committee meets twice a month, reports quarterly to the provincial government, and publishes a staff newsletter.
“Lockheed Martin is doing business in more than 54 countries,” said Luc. “We follow local regulations wherever we go, and Quebec is no different.”
The company’s leadership has endorsed the committee’s work. The next major milestone is achieving certification by mid-2026, and progress toward that goal is ongoing.
As Quebec celebrated St-Jean-Baptiste Day, Lockheed Martin takes the opportunity to acknowledge the importance of the French language and encourage its identity in our Montreal office.
