Quebec language watchdog targets barber for ‘too much English' — on sign, website, even Instagram
'I've been open a year,' he said. 'Six months in, the watchdogs came.'
Since then, the 42-year-old father of six says he's been hounded by the language office over everything from his store signage to his online presence. He's taken down his website, removed his 'open' sign and started adding French subtitles to his Instagram posts, all in an effort to comply with demands he says keep changing.
At the heart of the dispute is Bill 96, Quebec's sweeping language law passed in 2022. It gives the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) expanded powers to ensure businesses prioritize French.
'They said my shop was too much English. I said: 'OK, no problem. So what do we do?' They told me to contact them. I think it was March. I said: 'I don't work for you. I'm not going to contact you. Contact me. I'm running a business.' And they never contacted me,' Padulo said.
'Then I got two more letters saying my website had too much English, so I shut it down. Then they sent me another letter saying I'm too loud on Instagram with my English. Since when do you have jurisdiction over a public platform?
'They didn't really know how to answer me,' he added.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Pads the barber (@the__pad)
But Padulo believes the complaints began shortly after he started speaking openly about his Christian faith online. A devout Christian, he named the shop in reference to the Bible's 'cornerstone.'
'The cornerstone in the Bible was the stone of the community. We're a community barber that we're trying to teach kids how to barber, about the Lord, you know, good values — and that's where the name came from,' he said.
'We're not even on a corner,' he added.
Now, Padulo says he feels stuck after being told he must change the sign out front. That would cost him about $4,000 — money he says he doesn't have. But if he doesn't, he could face fines of up to $30,000 per day, which would force him to close the store.
His sign already includes French, but Padulo says the OQLF told him that wasn't enough.
'They said the French has to be bigger than the English.'
He points out all his customers are English-speaking, making the changes feel forced and out of touch with the reality of his business.
He's planning to launch a GoFundMe campaign this week to help cover the costs.
'People know me here,' he said. 'The community supports me. What I don't get is why I'm being punished for serving the people who actually come through the door.'
Padulo has a phone call scheduled with the OQLF this afternoon. 'I'm not expecting good news,' he said.
'I'm not the problem,' he said. 'I just want to run a business, not fight a government.'
The OQLF did not respond to The Gazette's request for comment before publication time.
But in a statement to CTV News, the watchdog said that online videos must be in French, adding: 'They may also be in other languages, provided that they are accessible in French under conditions that are at least as favourable.'
This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Greece to create new marine reserves to protect underwater wildlife
The new protected areas will be in the Ionian Sea and in the Southern Cyclades in the Aegean Sea Greece banned bottom trawling in the waters of the Fournoi Korseon island chain in the Aegean to protect recently discovered coral reefs. Photo by Handout / Under the Pole/AFP ATHENS — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday said that his government was creating two new protected marine areas, fulfilling a promise he made at a United Nations conference on the oceans in June. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The new protected areas — in the Ionian Sea and in the Southern Cyclades in the Aegean Sea — would be 'among the largest marine protected areas in the entire Mediterranean', he said in a video message in English. The prime minister said that the 'hugely damaging practice of bottom trawling' by commercial fishing boats would be banned within the new marine reserves and in all Greece's marine protected areas by 2030, making it the first country in Europe to take such a significant step in preservation. Fishing is generally allowed in protected marine areas worldwide, even by trawlers which scrape the seabed with a huge funnel-shaped net, to devastating effect. Mitsotakis said that he had 'made a promise to honour (Greece's) unique marine heritage' at last month's UN Oceans Conference in southern France, 'and to protect it for generations to come'. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Today I am delivering on that promise with the establishment of two new marine national parks… because when we protect our ocean, we protect our own future.' Greece is located in the eastern Mediterranean and has around 13,600 kilometres (8,450 miles) of coastline and hundreds of islands. Greece, Brazil and Spain all used the UN conference in Nice, to announce new protected marine reserves and measures to ban bottom trawling, in order to better protect marine wildlife. Mitsotakis said that the size of the new Greek marine reserves 'will enable us to achieve the goal of protecting 30 percent of our territorial waters by 2030'. He said that the government would work with 'local communities, local fishermen, scientists (and) global partners (to) make these parks examples of what is possible'. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In May, Athens banned bottom trawling in the waters of the Fournoi Korseon island chain in the Aegean to protect recently discovered coral reefs that are exceptionally rich in marine wildlife. Neighbouring Turkey, whose western coast is close to the Aegean islands, responded to Monday's announcement by criticizing such 'unilateral action'. 'International maritime law encourages cooperation between the coastal states of these seas, including on environmental issues,' the foreign ministry in Ankara said. It said that Turkey was willing to cooperate with Greece and would soon announce its own plans to protect maritime areas. Greece and Turkey, both members of NATO, have historical disputes over maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They signed an agreement in 2023 aimed at easing tensions. Mitsotakis said that 'Ocean', a new documentary by British natural history broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, had inspired Greece to accelerate efforts to protect life below the waves. 'Ocean', which features spectacular footage of undersea habitats and marine life, emphasizes the importance of healthy seas for tackling climate change and the current sweeping loss of wild species across the planet. Mitsotakis said 'Ocean' showed that the sea was 'not just beautiful scenery'. 'It is life itself. Delicate. Powerful. And under threat.' Toronto & GTA Uncategorized Football Canada Editorial Cartoons
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Russia launches a major aerial attack on Kyiv hours before high-level talks on support for Ukraine
Published Jul 21, 2025 • 4 minute read Firefighters work in a destroyed apartment building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 21, 2025. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky / AP Photo Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent months, only hours before the U.K. and Germany are to chair a meeting to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's plans for NATO allies to provide Ukraine with weapons. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The attack killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12-year-old, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district, a drone struck the entrance to a subway station where people had taken cover. Videos posted on social media showed the station platform engulfed by smoke, with dozens of people inside. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said the station had to be ventilated in what he called an 'enhanced mode.' The heaviest strikes hit Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, where a kindergarten, supermarket and warehouse facilities caught fire. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Kyiv on Monday and visited some of the damage. The hourslong drone and missile assault on Kyiv overnight into Monday underscored the urgency of Ukraine's need for further Western military aid, especially in air defense, a week after Trump said deliveries would arrive in Ukraine within days. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The virtual meeting will be led by British Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. Healey said U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and NATO leader Mark Rutte, as well as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, will attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Moscow has intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate as Russian drone production expands. In an shift of tone toward Russia, Trump last week gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face tougher sanctions. At Monday's meeting, Healey was expected to urge Ukraine's Western partners to launch a coincidental '50-day drive' to get Kyiv the weapons it needs to fight Russia's bigger army and force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, the U.K. government said in a statement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Trump's arms plan, announced a week ago, involves European nations sending American weapons to Ukraine via NATO — either from existing stockpiles or buying and donating new ones. The U.S. president indicated discussions were partly focused on advanced Patriot air defence systems and said a week ago that deliveries would begin 'within days.' But last week various senior officials suggested no transfers had yet taken place. NATO's Grynkewich told The Associated Press on Thursday that 'preparations are underway' for weapons transfers to Ukraine while U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he couldn't give a time frame. Ukraine wants American-made Patriot missile systems Germany has said it offered to finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and raised the possibility of supplying systems it already owns and having them replaced by the U.S. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But delivery could take time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested, because 'they have to be transported, they have to be set up; that is not a question of hours, it is a question of days, perhaps weeks.' Other Patriot systems could come thanks to Switzerland, whose defence ministry said Thursday it was informed by the U.S. Defense Department that it will 'reprioritize the delivery' of five previously ordered systems to support Ukraine. While Ukraine waits for Patriots, a senior NATO official said the alliance is still coordinating the delivery of other military aid — such as ammunition and artillery rounds — which includes aid from the U.S. that was briefly paused. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Zelenskyy said Saturday that his officials have proposed a new round of peace talks this week. Russian state media on Sunday reported that no date has yet been set for the negotiations, but said that Istanbul would likely remain the host city. The Kremlin spokesman said Sunday that Russia is open to peace with Ukraine, but achieving its goals remains a priority. Ukraine also fires drones at Moscow The overnight Russian barrage of Kyiv began shortly after midnight and continued until around 6 a.m. Residents of the capital were kept awake by machine-gun fire, buzzing drone engines and multiple loud explosions. It was the first major attack on Kyiv since Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, arrived in the city last Monday. Russia halted strikes on Kyiv during his visit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Russia's Ministry of Defence said its attack used drones and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. It said that the barrage successfully targeted airfield infrastructure and Ukraine's military-industrial complex. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 426 Shahed and decoy drones overnight Monday, as well as 24 missiles of various types. It said 200 drones were intercepted with 203 more jammed or lost from radars. Four Ukrainian planes 'unintentionally penetrated' Romanian airspace for several minutes but did not pose a threat to national security or civilian lives, Romania's Ministry of National Defence said. It said the brief incursion occurred as Ukraine took measures to move military aircraft away from airfields in western Ukraine amid the Russian bombardment. Ukraine, meanwhile, continued to deploy its domestically produced long-range drones. Russia's Ministry of Defence said that its forces shot down 74 Ukrainian drones overnight, with almost a third of them destroyed close to the Russian capital. Twenty-three drones were shot down in the Moscow region, the ministry said, 15 of which were intercepted over the city itself. — Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath in Bucharest, Romania contributed to this report. Toronto & GTA Canada Toronto & GTA Football Editorial Cartoons
The Market Online
5 hours ago
- The Market Online
The end of combustion engines? Why Volkswagen, dynaCERT, and Daimler Truck are still cashing in on cleantech
The mobility industry is undergoing a significant upheaval. Stricter CO2 limits are forcing automotive giants and, above all, the transportation industry to undergo a radical transformation. Transportation accounts for approximately 25% of the world's total emissions. The EU is pushing ahead with strict decarbonization targets. By 2030, new vehicles and trucks will have to emit 55% less CO2. Companies are running out of time. Innovations must pay off, or they are out of the game. Volkswagen is revolutionizing fleet emissions by pushing ahead with electromobility, dynaCERT is optimizing existing diesel engines, and Daimler Truck is driving sustainable logistics forward with electric and hydrogen powertrains. This article is disseminated in partnership with Apaton Finance GmbH. It is intended to inform investors and should not be taken as a recommendation or financial advice. Volkswagen – A catch-up race with obstacles Volkswagen's latest quarterly figures show a familiar pattern. Revenue climbed by 3%, but operating profit fell sharply. This was due to special items totaling around EUR 1.1 billion, including provisions for CO2 targets and restructuring costs: a classic cyclical development, but a painful one. The balance sheet remains robust with just under EUR 37 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The automotive division is sticking to its forecast of up to 5% revenue growth in 2025, but tariff uncertainties in the US remain a Sword of Damocles. In summary, stability is there, but the pressure on profits remains real. The Company is responding to challenges such as the slump in its Chinese business and the tough EV transition with clear steps. The 'In China, for China' strategy aims to deliver tailor-made models from 2026, supported by the partnership with XPENG. Even more significant is the up to USD 5.8 billion Rivian alliance, which aims to close software gaps and provide access to modern e-architecture. At the same time, VW is expanding its BEV presence in Europe, with deliveries growing by 75% in the second quarter, while combustion engines continue to dominate in China. The goal is clear: the Company wants to increase flexibility where the market demands it. Volkswagen is on solid financial footing. The balance sheet shows a price-to-book ratio of only 0.25. On the one hand, this reflects massive skepticism, but on the other hand, it provides a buffer. Even forced sales of assets such as plants could release considerable value. The mix of a strong industrial network and financial services has a stabilizing effect. However, political risks, pressure from China, and ongoing investments in transformation remain stumbling blocks. Anyone getting in here is betting on a turnaround with a long time horizon. The stock currently costs EUR 89.98. dynaCERT – Emission reduction for diesel engines gains momentum A French port is now relying on retrofit technology from dynaCERT (TSX:DYA). In the port of Rochefort-Tonnay-Charente, a crane has been equipped with the HydraGEN™ system, which reduces emissions from diesel engines while also lowering fuel consumption. Following successful tests since December 2024, the port administration plans to retrofit all five cranes this year. The investment of EUR 58,000 per crane is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs, and is expected to pay for itself in under a year. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is providing financial support for the project, which it sees as a step toward greater competitiveness and sustainability. This has opened the door to the French market for local distribution partner IPMD SAS. The technology is well-engineered: a compact electrolyzer installed on board generates a hydrogen-oxygen mix from distilled water. This is fed into the combustion process, resulting in more efficient and cleaner combustion. The result is measurable savings in diesel consumption of between 6% and 20%, and significantly reduced pollutants such as soot particles. An added incentive comes from the CO2 credits. Fuel savings are recorded via the Hydrolytica™ telematics platform, which will soon serve as the basis for generating tradable CO2 certificates. These certificates have the potential to create a recurring revenue stream in the long term. dynaCERT deliberately focuses on retrofitting existing machines, as the market is enormous. Installation takes just a few hours, and the low-maintenance technology is scalable. Everything from small transporters to giant mining machines can be retrofitted. Current areas of focus are heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation, and now also port infrastructure. With fresh capital of CAD 5 million from a recent financing round, the Company is driving forward its global expansion, supported by an experienced management team and a growing sales network. The share price has been trading sideways between CAD 0.13 and CAD 0.14 for a month. A share currently costs CAD 0.135. Daimler Truck – Caution despite apparent strength The commercial vehicle industry is facing structural challenges. In the long term, the ongoing shift from a goods-based to a service-based economy is putting downward pressure on demand for transport capacity. At the same time, expensive investments in alternative drive systems such as electric trucks and hydrogen are forcing high expenditures on manufacturers without their shareholders reaping the full social benefits. Added to this is the potential disruption from autonomous vehicles, which tech giants are investing heavily in. Although transportation remains essential, the industry is on thin ice. Daimler Truck was recently considered a relatively stable anchor in the sector. Its strong focus on North America, with local production in seven US plants, offered protection from trade conflicts, and the Company was able to benefit from US infrastructure programs. Its broad presence in the emerging Asian market and more disciplined capital allocation through strategic partnerships also spoke in the Company's favor. It appeared attractive compared to higher-valued competitors. Despite a decline in revenue in the last quarter, the stock is holding up surprisingly well. The announced job cuts of 2,000 in North America and 5,000 in Germany by 2030 indicate that the Company wants to reduce costs. Political uncertainty, punitive tariffs, changing environmental regulations, and delayed infrastructure funding are currently weighing on planning security. The current valuation now appears fair, but no longer cheap. Caution is advised given the unclear drivers of recent performance and ongoing headwinds in industry. The stock is currently trading at EUR 40.08. The mobility transition is driving cleantech innovation – and creating new winners. Volkswagen is pushing ahead with its electric conversion with billion-dollar alliances such as XPENG and Rivian, but continues to struggle with profit pressure and risks in China. dynaCERT is revolutionizing existing fleets. With HydraGEN™, the Canadians are reducing diesel consumption and emissions in cranes and trucks, as demonstrated by the French port project, and generating CO2 certificates in the process. Daimler Truck is attempting to weather the industry turmoil through cost discipline and a focus on North America. The Company is banking on hydrogen and electric drives. All three companies demonstrate that those who implement decarbonization economically can secure relevant market shares, even as the era of combustion engines comes to an end. Conflict of interest Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as 'Relevant Persons') currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a 'Transaction'). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company. In this respect, there is a concrete conflict of interest in the reporting on the companies. In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual this reason, there is also a concrete conflict of interest. The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies. Risk notice Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such. The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user. The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use. Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
