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Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec's language watchdog targets iconic Burgundy Lion pub
UPDATE: The OQLF has since said Burgundy Lion's sign can stay. The latest update on this story can be found by clicking here. The Burgundy Lion has stood in Little Burgundy for nearly 20 years, serving everyone from former prime minister Justin Trudeau to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante beneath a coat of arms that reads, 'Pub Burgundy Lion.' But that sign is now in the sights of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), marking the latest clash in Premier François Legault's drive to bolster French in public life. Since sweeping new language rules took effect in June, business owners have been left wrestling with the costs and bureaucracy of ensuring their signs and branding comply. Toby Lyle, the pub's co-owner, recalls a French-language inspector arriving about six weeks ago. He says the meeting 'soured' almost immediately when the inspector asked how to pronounce his last name. 'When I told him it was Lyle, he said, 'That's not a Québécois name.'' He then asked for the inspector's surname. He said he gave a Polish name, adding: 'Oh, I'm not Québécois either.' Lyle said he pressed: 'Were you born here?' 'Montreal,' the inspector said. 'Then guess what: you're Québécois,' Lyle said he told him. After the meeting, the inspector sent recommendations: Add French to a few missed spots on the website and on social media. Lyle agreed to those. But then came the demand he couldn't accept: Alter his sign to add more French. 'Pub' and 'Lion' were fine, but 'Burgundy,' he was told, was the problem. Lyle pointed to the neighbourhood's name, Little Burgundy — officially Petite-Bourgogne in French — which he says has been called by its English name for generations. 'It's part of the cultural identity of this place,' he said. 'Locals have called it Little Burgundy for many years.' The OQLF also asked him to change the names of some whisky regions, like the 'Highlands.' Lyle wrote back that these are locations 'whose names cannot be translated into French.' It's not Lyle's first run-in with the OQLF. During the 'Pastagate' uproar over an Italian restaurant's use of 'pasta' on menus, he said he faced his own 'Fish-and-Chips-gate.' He said the office ordered him to replace the menu item with 'poisson et frites,' but he says he was eventually allowed to keep the English term. There was also the time the pub was warned that a 'Recommended on TripAdvisor' sticker might breach Quebec's language laws. He called the travel site and asked for a French version. This dispute falls under Quebec's new rules, Bill 96. Any non-French business name or trademark on a sign must be paired with French text that is 'markedly predominant.' The requirement covers storefronts and interior displays visible from outside. Complaints, which often spark an inspection, can be filed anonymously. The pub has until mid-November to submit detailed plans for any changes. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $30,000 a day, penalties that double or triple for repeat offences. However, he vows to fight it, arguing the Office isn't respecting the 'historical and cultural significance' of the name. 'This is a 17-year-old brand,' he emphasized. 'It's a service to the neighbourhood.' He also took to Facebook to write about the matter, accusing the Quebec government of using language to divide people. 'We're living in a relatively unprecedented period of global and national turmoil, and issues like the perception of English-language signage are only being perpetuated by the state government in an attempt to divide the population and distract from the real economic and social issues that need to be addressed,' he wrote. In a statement to the Gazette, the OQLF confirmed an inspector visited the bar in July as part of its francization process and said there has been no final decision on the compliance of the display. 'Discussions have been initiated with the company,' said Gilles Payer, the office's director of communications. 'The Office is continuing to analyze the file and support the company in its francization process.' Payer did not comment on the interaction between Lyle and the inspector. This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 6:56 AM.
Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Montreal Gazette
OQLF backtracks: Burgundy Lion pub can keep sign after Quebec's language watchdog admits mistake
Quebec's language watchdog has admitted it was wrong to ask the Burgundy Lion pub to alter its sign in a dispute that drew public attention this week. The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) had initially inspected the pub and co-owner Toby Lyle said he was told that the word 'Burgundy' on its sign needed more prominent French under new language rules. Lyle argued the name reflected the neighbourhood's history and cultural identity. In a statement to The Gazette, the OQLF said Thursday it had 'rigorously analyzed' the handling of the file and the communications sent to the Burgundy Lion in Montreal's Little Burgundy neighbourhood. 'We can already confirm that certain documents should not have been sent and that it was premature to request changes to the posting, as the decision on compliance had not yet been made,' the OQLF said. 'After analysis, it appears that the posting is compliant. We have contacted the company to inform them of this.' The agency called the incident 'an unfortunate situation' and said it was 'sensitive to the reactions it has generated' from both the pub and the public. 'We will do everything possible to ensure that similar situations do not recur,' The OQLF said. This story was originally published
Global News
a day ago
- General
- Global News
Quebec's language police tell Burgundy Lion pub its sign is breaking the law
There's a language storm brewing over the name Burgundy Lion, an English pub in the Montreal neighbourhood for which it is named. It started with a surprising heads-up that co-owner Toby Lyle said he recently got from the Office Quebecois de la langue francais (OQLF). 'That my sign is no good — it's not French enough,' he said. In an email obtained by Global News, a language enforcement official wrote in French that 'the word 'Burgundy' is not attested in French, even though it refers to the Little Burgundy neighborhood. Corrections are required.' Those corrections include adding elements in French such as descriptions, the letter explained. In Quebec, the law states that business signs must be in French, and that if there's another language, French must be clearly predominant. Story continues below advertisement In Lyle's opinion, his sign conforms with the law. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Burgundy is a neighbourhood, 'pub' is a French word and 'lion' is both French and English,' he told Global News. He argues that the area for which it is named is of national significance. 'It's know by the residents of the neighbourhood as 'Little Burgundy' and not 'Petit Bourgogne',' he pointed out. 'It's the historical neighbourhood of Oliver Jones, Oscar Peterson. The (Montreal International) Jazz Fest doesn't exist without this neighbourhood.' Lyle is refusing to change the sign that's been in place for nearly two decades. It's not the first time that the English pub has run afoul of the language police. Eight years ago the eatery got into trouble for a 7.5-cm English-only Trip Advisor recommendation sign in the window. But there were no objections from the OQLF about the sign at the time. Human rights lawyer Julius Grey told Global he thinks the order to remove the sign is ridiculous. 'What I'm suggesting to you is that it isn't against the law,' he stressed. 'It's only against the law if it's interpreted in the narrow way in which the office is interpreting it.' Story continues below advertisement He believes the law should take into account the different origins of place names in Montreal, and that a reasonable interpretation of the law would find no fault with the name Burgundy. Grey argues that the OQLF has been overzealous recently. 'Their position is that everything must appear to be in French. I don't think that's the purpose of the law.' He says the legislation does recognize the role of other languages and cultures in the province. In a statement to Global News, the OQLF wrote that they are still analyzing the file and that no final decision has been made about the Burgundy Lion sign.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Quebec's language watchdog targets iconic Burgundy Lion pub
Sweeping new language rules took effect in June in Premier François Legault's drive to bolster French in public life. Published Aug 14, 2025 • Last updated 27 minutes ago • 3 minute read Burgundy Lion co-owner Toby Lyle has the pub has had a run-in with the OQLF. "Pub" and "Lion" were fine, but "Burgundy," he was told, was the problem. Allen McInnis/Montreal Gazette The Burgundy Lion has stood in Little Burgundy for nearly 20 years, serving everyone from former prime minister Justin Trudeau to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante beneath a coat of arms that reads, 'Pub Burgundy Lion.' 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 But that sign is now in the sights of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), marking the latest clash in Premier François Legault's drive to bolster French in public life. Since sweeping new language rules took effect in June, business owners have been left wrestling with the costs and bureaucracy of ensuring their signs and branding comply. Toby Lyle, the pub's co-owner, recalls a French-language inspector arriving about six weeks ago. He says the meeting 'soured' almost immediately when the inspector asked how to pronounce his last name. 'When I told him it was Lyle, he said, 'That's not a Québécois name.'' He then asked for the inspector's surname. He said gave a Polish name, adding: 'Oh, I'm not Québécois either.' 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. Lyle said he pressed: 'Were you born here?' 'Montreal,' the inspector said. 'Then guess what: you're Québécois,' Lyle said he told him. After the meeting, the inspector sent recommendations: Add French to a few missed spots on the website and on social media. Lyle agreed to those. But then came the demand he couldn't accept: Alter his sign to add more French. 'Pub' and 'Lion' were fine, but 'Burgundy,' he was told, was the problem. Lyle pointed to the neighbourhood's name, Little Burgundy — officially Petite-Bourgogne in French — which he says has been called by its English name for generations. 'It's part of the cultural identity of this place,' he said. 'Locals have called it Little Burgundy for many years.' The OQLF also asked him to change the names of some whisky regions, like the 'Highlands.' Lyle wrote back that these are locations 'whose names cannot be translated into French.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's not Lyle's first run-in with the OQLF. During the 'Pastagate' uproar over an Italian restaurant's use of 'pasta' on menus, he said he faced his own 'Fish-and-Chips-gate.' He said the office ordered him to replace the menu item with 'poisson et frites,' but he says he was eventually allowed to keep the English term. There was also the time the pub was warned that a 'Recommended on TripAdvisor' sticker might breach Quebec's language laws. He called the travel site and asked for a French version. This dispute falls under Quebec's new rules, Bill 96. Any non-French business name or trademark on a sign must be paired with French text that is 'markedly predominant.' The requirement covers storefronts and interior displays visible from outside. Complaints, which often spark an inspection, can be filed anonymously. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Explainer: Breaking down the key points of Bill 96 The pub has until mid-November to submit detailed plans for any changes. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $30,000 a day, penalties that double or triple for repeat offences. However, he vows to fight it, arguing the Office isn't respecting the 'historical and cultural significance' of the name. 'This is a 17-year-old brand,' he emphasized. 'It's a service to the neighbourhood.' He also took to Facebook to write about the matter, accusing the Quebec government of using language to divide people. 'We're living in a relatively unprecedented period of global and national turmoil, and issues like the perception of English-language signage are only being perpetuated by the state government in an attempt to divide the population and distract from the real economic and social issues that need to be addressed,' he wrote. In a statement to the Gazette, the OQLF confirmed an inspector visited the bar in July as part of its francization process and said there has been no final decision on the compliance of the display. 'Discussions have been initiated with the company,' said Gilles Payer, the office's director of communications. 'The Office is continuing to analyze the file and support the company in its francization process.' Payer did not comment on the interaction between Lyle and the inspector. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists World Toronto Maple Leafs
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Montreal pub fights order to change sign
Montreal Watch The co-owner of Pub Burgundy Lion is pushing back after Quebec's language office flagged the business's sign during a review.
