Affiliate Agreement (Quebec)
Affiliate Marketing Agreement — CASL + Law 25 Compliant
AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
This Affiliate Agreement ('Agreement') is entered into as of [Agreement Date], between:
MERCHANT: [Merchant Name], [Merchant Address] (the 'Merchant')
AFFILIATE: [Affiliate Name], [Affiliate Address] (the 'Affiliate')
This Agreement is governed by the Code civil du Québec (CCQ), Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL, S.C. 2010, c. 23), Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (CQLR c P-39.1, Law 25), the Competition Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34), and the Charter of the French Language (RLRQ, c. C-11).
1. AFFILIATE PROGRAM
The Merchant appoints the Affiliate to participate in the [Program Name] to promote the following products and services: [Products/Services]
Tracking: Affiliate performance will be tracked via [Tracking Method]. The attribution window is [Cookie Duration] days from the Affiliate's referral link click. The Merchant's tracking records are conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
2. COMMISSIONS AND PAYMENT
Commission Rate: [Commission Rate]. A commission is earned upon: [Conversion Event]. Commissions on cancelled orders, returned products, or fraudulent transactions are not payable and any commissions previously paid in respect of such transactions will be deducted from future payments.
Payment: Commissions will be paid on a [Payment Schedule] basis, provided the balance exceeds $[Minimum Payout] CAD. Payments will be made by electronic funds transfer to the Affiliate's designated account. The Merchant will provide a commission statement with each payment.
3. PROMOTIONAL GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Affiliate agrees to the following promotional restrictions:
- Use only Merchant-approved marketing materials and brand assets
- Comply with the Charter of the French Language — all Quebec-targeted promotions must be in French (or French must be at least equally prominent)
- No false, misleading, or deceptive representations about the Merchant's products (Competition Act, ss. 74.01–74.22 and Consumer Protection Act, RLRQ c P-40.1)
- No trademark bidding on Merchant's brand terms without prior written approval
- Disclose the affiliate relationship in all sponsored content and influencer marketing
- No promotion of the Merchant's products on illegal, adult, or hate-content websites
4. CASL AND LAW 25 COMPLIANCE
CASL Obligations: [CASL Obligation]
Law 25 / Privacy: [Law 25 Obligation]
The Affiliate shall indemnify and hold the Merchant harmless from any fines, penalties, or damages arising from the Affiliate's CASL or Law 25 violations. CASL penalties may reach $1,000,000 per violation (individual) or $10,000,000 per violation (organization).
5. TERM AND TERMINATION
Term: This Agreement commences on [Effective Date] for an initial term of [Initial Term]. Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving [Termination Notice]. The Merchant may terminate immediately upon the Affiliate's breach of this Agreement, CASL violation, or fraudulent activity.
Effect of Termination: Upon termination, the Affiliate shall immediately remove all Merchant marketing materials and affiliate links. Earned commissions through the termination date will be paid at the next regular payment date, provided no clawback applies.
6. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Independent Contractors: The Affiliate is an independent contractor, not an employee, agent, or partner of the Merchant. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment relationship under the Act respecting labour standards (RLRQ c N-1.1). Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by the laws of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Disputes shall be resolved by the courts of Quebec, judicial district of Montreal.
Merchant (Marchand)
________________
Signature
Affiliate (Affilié)
________________
Signature
What Is a Affiliate Agreement (Quebec)?
A Affiliate Agreement is a formal legal document used in Quebec for business operations, corporate governance, and commercial transactions. Create a Quebec affiliate marketing agreement covering commission structure, tracking, payment terms, promotional guidelines, IP licence, CASL compliance, Law 25 data privacy, and termination under CCQ and federal marketing regulations. This document operates within Quebec's civil law (Civil Code of Quebec) framework and is designed to provide clear legal protection and certainty for all parties involved. These laws establish the legal requirements for valid agreements, the rights and obligations of the parties, and the remedies available in case of breach or dispute. Understanding the applicable legal framework is essential for drafting an effective Affiliate Agreement that will be enforceable under Quebec law. The importance of having a properly drafted Affiliate Agreement cannot be overstated. Without a clear, written agreement, parties risk misunderstandings, disputes, and potential legal liability. A well-drafted Affiliate Agreement sets out the terms and conditions that govern the relationship between the parties, including their respective rights, obligations, and the procedures for resolving any disagreements that may arise. It serves as the primary reference point should any questions or disputes occur during the course of the arrangement. In today's regulatory environment in Quebec, compliance with legal requirements is increasingly important. A Affiliate Agreement helps confirm that all parties are meeting their legal obligations and provides a clear record of the agreed terms for future reference. Using a standardized Affiliate Agreement template offers several practical advantages. It confirms that all essential clauses are included, reduces the time and cost of drafting from scratch, and provides a professional framework that can be customized to suit specific needs. Whether you are an individual, a small business owner, or a large corporation operating in Quebec, having access to a well-structured template confirms consistency and completeness in your legal documentation.
When Do You Need a Affiliate Agreement (Quebec)?
A Affiliate Agreement is needed whenever parties in Quebec wish to formalize their arrangement regarding business operations, corporate governance, and commercial transactions. There are numerous situations in which this document becomes essential for protecting the interests of all involved parties. In a business context, you may need a Affiliate Agreement when entering into new commercial relationships, when formalizing existing arrangements that have previously been informal, when expanding your business operations, or when restructuring existing agreements. Companies registered with REQ should confirm proper documentation is maintained for all significant business transactions. You should also consider using a Affiliate Agreement when there has been a change in circumstances that affects an existing arrangement, when you need to comply with new regulatory requirements, when you wish to update outdated documentation, or when professional advisors recommend formalizing certain aspects of your affairs. In Quebec, maintaining current and accurate legal documentation is considered best practice and can help prevent costly disputes. It is generally advisable to prepare a Affiliate Agreement before any issues arise, rather than trying to document terms after a dispute has already begun. Proactive documentation provides clarity and reduces the potential for misunderstandings. If you are unsure whether you need this document for your specific situation in Quebec, consulting with a qualified legal professional can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. The timing of executing a Affiliate Agreement is also important. In Quebec, certain documents must be executed before specific actions are taken or within prescribed time periods to be effective. Delaying the preparation of necessary legal documents can result in complications, lost rights, or additional costs. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare this document as early as possible once the need has been identified.
What to Include in Your Affiliate Agreement (Quebec)
A well-drafted Affiliate Agreement for use in Quebec should contain several essential elements to confirm it is legally effective and provides adequate protection for all parties. Party Identification: The document should clearly identify all parties involved, including their full legal names, addresses, and relevant identification numbers. For individuals in Quebec, this may include identity card or passport numbers. For companies, registration numbers and registered addresses should be specified. Clear identification prevents disputes about who is bound by the agreement. Recitals and Background: The document should include background information explaining the context and purpose of the arrangement. This helps establish the parties' intentions and can be important in interpreting the terms of the document if any ambiguity arises later. The recitals section provides valuable context for the operative provisions that follow. Operative Terms: The core terms and conditions should be set out clearly and thoroughly. This includes the rights and obligations of each party, any conditions or prerequisites, the duration of the arrangement, and any limitations or restrictions. All key terms should be defined precisely to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes. Payment and Financial Terms: Where applicable, the document should specify any payments, fees, deposits, or other financial considerations. The amounts, currency (CAD), payment schedules, and methods of payment should be clearly stated. Any provisions for late payment, interest charges, or adjustments should also be included. Term and Termination: The document should specify its duration, including the start date, end date or conditions for expiry, and any provisions for renewal or extension. The circumstances under which either party may terminate the arrangement early should be clearly defined, along with any notice requirements and the consequences of termination. Dispute Resolution: The document should include provisions for resolving any disputes that may arise, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation. In Quebec, parties may choose to specify the jurisdiction of Quebec courts and the applicable law. Including a clear dispute resolution mechanism can save significant time and expense if disagreements occur. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: The document should specify that it is governed by the laws of Quebec and that disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Quebec courts. This is particularly important in cross-border transactions or where parties are based in different jurisdictions. Signatures and Execution: The document must be properly signed by all parties or their authorised representatives. In Quebec, certain documents may need to be witnessed, notarised, or executed as deeds to be legally effective. The date of execution should be clearly recorded, and each party should retain an original signed copy for their records.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Affiliate Agreement (Quebec) (Quebec) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/quebec/business/contracts/affiliate-agreement-quebec
"Affiliate Agreement (Quebec) (Quebec)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/quebec/business/contracts/affiliate-agreement-quebec.
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title = {Affiliate Agreement (Quebec) (Quebec)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/quebec/business/contracts/affiliate-agreement-quebec}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Civil Code of Québec (CCQ), Book Five: Obligations}
}Frequently Asked Questions
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL, S.C. 2010, c. 23) imposes strict requirements on all parties involved in sending commercial electronic messages (CEMs) in Canada, including Quebec affiliate marketers. Key CASL obligations for affiliates include: (1) Consent requirement — before sending promotional emails, SMS, or other CEMs to Canadian recipients (including Quebec residents), the affiliate must have either express consent (opt-in) or implied consent (existing business or personal relationship) from each recipient. Purchasing email lists or using scraped contact data is generally prohibited under CASL. (2) Identification requirements — each CEM must identify the sender (the affiliate) and the merchant on whose behalf the message is sent, with valid contact information. (3) Unsubscribe mechanism — every CEM must include a functional, easy-to-use unsubscribe mechanism that processes opt-out requests within 10 business days. (4) Third-party liability — merchants are liable for CASL violations by their affiliates if they authorized the affiliate's marketing methods. The affiliate agreement should include CASL representations and warranties by the affiliate, audit rights for the merchant to verify compliance, and indemnification by the affiliate for any CASL violations. CASL penalties are severe: up to $1 million per violation for individuals and $10 million per violation for organizations. The CRTC enforces CASL and has issued significant penalties against non-compliant email marketers.
Affiliate commission tracking is the technical and contractual foundation of any Quebec affiliate program. The agreement must specify: (1) Tracking technology — how affiliate-referred traffic and conversions are tracked (unique affiliate tracking links containing UTM parameters or affiliate IDs; cookies or pixels placed on the merchant's website; promo codes unique to each affiliate; phone tracking numbers). The tracking methodology must be disclosed to the affiliate and its accuracy must be verifiable. (2) Attribution model — which click or touchpoint in the customer's journey earns the commission (last-click attribution is the most common; first-click, linear, or time-decay models may also be used). The agreement must specify what happens when multiple affiliates are involved in the same customer acquisition. (3) Conversion definition — what constitutes a qualifying conversion that triggers a commission (completed purchase, lead form submission, app download, account registration). (4) Cookie duration — how long after the affiliate's referral link is clicked does the affiliate receive credit for a subsequent conversion (typically 30–90 days). (5) Verification period — a period after conversion during which the merchant verifies the transaction (checking for fraud, cancellations, returns) before confirming and paying the commission. (6) Dispute resolution — how disputed commission calculations are resolved, including the affiliate's audit rights to review transaction data supporting commission calculations.
Affiliate agreements in Quebec must impose clear restrictions on how affiliates may promote the merchant's products or services, to protect the merchant's brand, ensure legal compliance, and prevent fraudulent or misleading marketing. Key promotional restrictions include: (1) Approved marketing materials — affiliates may only use marketing materials approved by the merchant, including logos, brand assets, product images, and advertising copy. Affiliates may not modify or alter approved materials or create their own materials without written approval. (2) French language compliance — under Quebec's Charter of the French Language (RLRQ c. C-11), any promotional material directed at Quebec consumers must be in French (and may also be in another language if the French is at least as prominent). Affiliates must ensure all Quebec-targeted promotions comply with the Charter. (3) No misleading advertising — affiliates must not make false or misleading representations about the merchant's products, including exaggerated performance claims, fake testimonials, or fabricated comparisons. This is regulated by the Competition Act (misleading advertising provisions, ss. 74.01–74.22) and Quebec's Consumer Protection Act (prohibition on misleading commercial practices). (4) No trademark bidding — affiliates may not bid on the merchant's trademarks in paid search advertising without explicit written permission. (5) No spam — affiliates must comply with CASL.
Quebec's Law 25 (Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector) significantly affects affiliate marketing programs that involve collecting, sharing, or processing personal information of Quebec residents. Key Law 25 implications for affiliate programs include: (1) Tracking technology consent — Law 25 requires organizations to obtain consent before collecting personal information through tracking technologies (cookies, pixels, fingerprinting). Affiliate tracking links and pixels placed on the merchant's website that collect Quebec users' personal information require compliant consent mechanisms (opt-in consent for non-essential cookies). (2) Data sharing restrictions — when a merchant shares affiliate-generated customer data (customer names, emails, purchase history) with affiliates or receives personal data from affiliates, a data processing agreement must be in place under Law 25. (3) Cross-border data transfers — if the merchant's affiliate tracking platform is operated by a US-based technology provider, the merchant must conduct a privacy impact assessment confirming adequate safeguards for the transfer of Quebec users' personal data to the US. (4) Right to withdraw consent — Quebec users have the right to withdraw consent to the collection of their personal information through affiliate tracking technologies at any time, and the affiliate program must accommodate this right through a functional opt-out mechanism.
A Affiliate Agreement (Quebec) does not legally require a lawyer in Quebec, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Quebec lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The Superior Court of Québec has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Registraire des entreprises du Québec may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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