Latest news with #Jean-FrançoisRoberge
Hamilton Spectator
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Five things about Quebec's new language rules for businesses
MONTREAL - New rules took effect in Quebec on Sunday requiring French to be the dominant language on store signs and imposing stricter guidelines for product packaging. The changes are part of Quebec's 2022 overhaul of its French-language law, known as Bill 96, which the government said was essential to protect French in the province. The new rules came into force on June 1 despite a request from business groups to extend the deadline for companies to comply. They say businesses haven't been given enough time to make changes that can be onerous and costly. Here are five things to know about the latest language regulations. French must be 'markedly predominant' on store signs Under the new rules, French must take up twice as much space as other languages on store signs and commercial advertising. That means stores with English names, like Canadian Tire, Best Buy and Second Cup will have to include generic terms or descriptions in French on their storefronts that take up two thirds of the space devoted to text. Michel Rochette, Quebec president of the Retail Council of Canada, said businesses must ensure they're complying with municipal bylaws and landlords' requirements when changing their storefronts, which can be time-consuming. 'They want to comply with the rules. It's not a question of willingness,' he said. 'It's a question of capacity and authorization.' But last week, French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge said many companies have already updated their signs, and pointed specifically to food retailer Bulk Barn as being largely in compliance. 'It's possible to do it,' he said. Product packaging rules have been tightened Labels on product packaging must already be translated into French. But there's an exception for trademarks in other languages, which don't have to be translated. The latest regulations take aim at generic terms sometimes included in trademarks, like 'lavender and shea butter' hand soap, for example. Those descriptive terms will now have to be translated as well. This particular rule caused the U.S. government to list Bill 96 as a trade irritant earlier this year. Rochette said if global suppliers choose not to modify their labelling to comply with the rule, Quebec businesses won't be able to stock those products and could lose customers to online retailers. 'So this is really frustrating for many of them,' he said. Smaller businesses must register with language watchdog Quebec already requires businesses with 50 or more employees to undergo a 'francization' process to ensure French is the dominant language in the workplace. That requirement is now being extended to companies with 25 to 49 employees. The businesses must register with Quebec's language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française. François Vincent, Quebec vice president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the majority of small businesses in the province already operate in French. 'We're going to ask small entrepreneurs … to fill out paperwork, only to be told that everything is fine,' he said. Fines can reach $30,000 a day Businesses in violation of the new rules can be fined $3,000 to $30,000 per day for a first infraction, and up to $90,000 per day for a third offence. 'This can lead to huge fines,' Vincent said. However, Roberge has said the language office won't be looking to slap immediate fines on non-compliant businesses, as long as they're taking steps to fix the problem. Business groups asked for more time Rochette and Vincent issued an open letter last week asking for an extension from the Quebec government. They say the province had promised companies would have three years to adapt to the new rules. Bill 96 became law in 2022, but the final version of these regulations was only published in June 2024. The government confirmed Friday that the regulations would take effect on June 1, as planned. 'In one year, there's time to do a lot of things,' Roberge said earlier in the week. 'We are disappointed because we thought it was important to give more time for business owners to comply,' said Vincent. 'These are complex rules that will create more red tape and more costs for small businesses.' Jean-Philippe Mikus, an intellectual property lawyer, said there will likely be legal challenges around the interpretation of the new rules. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Five things about Quebec's new language rules for businesses
MONTREAL – New rules took effect in Quebec on Sunday requiring French to be the dominant language on store signs and imposing stricter guidelines for product packaging. The changes are part of Quebec's 2022 overhaul of its French-language law, known as Bill 96, which the government said was essential to protect French in the province. The new rules came into force on June 1 despite a request from business groups to extend the deadline for companies to comply. They say businesses haven't been given enough time to make changes that can be onerous and costly. Here are five things to know about the latest language regulations. French must be 'markedly predominant' on store signs Under the new rules, French must take up twice as much space as other languages on store signs and commercial advertising. That means stores with English names, like Canadian Tire, Best Buy and Second Cup will have to include generic terms or descriptions in French on their storefronts that take up two thirds of the space devoted to text. Michel Rochette, Quebec president of the Retail Council of Canada, said businesses must ensure they're complying with municipal bylaws and landlords' requirements when changing their storefronts, which can be time-consuming. 'They want to comply with the rules. It's not a question of willingness,' he said. 'It's a question of capacity and authorization.' But last week, French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge said many companies have already updated their signs, and pointed specifically to food retailer Bulk Barn as being largely in compliance. 'It's possible to do it,' he said. Product packaging rules have been tightened Labels on product packaging must already be translated into French. But there's an exception for trademarks in other languages, which don't have to be translated. The latest regulations take aim at generic terms sometimes included in trademarks, like 'lavender and shea butter' hand soap, for example. Those descriptive terms will now have to be translated as well. This particular rule caused the U.S. government to list Bill 96 as a trade irritant earlier this year. Rochette said if global suppliers choose not to modify their labelling to comply with the rule, Quebec businesses won't be able to stock those products and could lose customers to online retailers. 'So this is really frustrating for many of them,' he said. Smaller businesses must register with language watchdog Quebec already requires businesses with 50 or more employees to undergo a 'francization' process to ensure French is the dominant language in the workplace. That requirement is now being extended to companies with 25 to 49 employees. The businesses must register with Quebec's language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française. François Vincent, Quebec vice president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the majority of small businesses in the province already operate in French. 'We're going to ask small entrepreneurs … to fill out paperwork, only to be told that everything is fine,' he said. Fines can reach $30,000 a day Businesses in violation of the new rules can be fined $3,000 to $30,000 per day for a first infraction, and up to $90,000 per day for a third offence. 'This can lead to huge fines,' Vincent said. However, Roberge has said the language office won't be looking to slap immediate fines on non-compliant businesses, as long as they're taking steps to fix the problem. Business groups asked for more time Rochette and Vincent issued an open letter last week asking for an extension from the Quebec government. They say the province had promised companies would have three years to adapt to the new rules. Bill 96 became law in 2022, but the final version of these regulations was only published in June 2024. The government confirmed Friday that the regulations would take effect on June 1, as planned. 'In one year, there's time to do a lot of things,' Roberge said earlier in the week. 'We are disappointed because we thought it was important to give more time for business owners to comply,' said Vincent. 'These are complex rules that will create more red tape and more costs for small businesses.' Jean-Philippe Mikus, an intellectual property lawyer, said there will likely be legal challenges around the interpretation of the new rules. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
National Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Quebec language office pressed transit agency for months before the Habs playoff run
Quebec's language watchdog contacted the Montreal transit agency at least six times in the wake of a complaint about using the word "go" on city buses to cheer on a local soccer team. The watchdog — the Office québécois de la langue française — asked for multiple updates on the agency's efforts to remove the word, and kept the complaint open for nine months until 'go' had been scrubbed from more than 1,000 city buses in Montreal, according to emails obtained by The Canadian Press. The correspondence contrasts with the office's public comments responding to an April report in the Montreal Gazette that revealed how the transit agency had replaced the expression 'Go! Canadiens Go!' on its buses with 'Allez! Canadiens Allez!' to appease the watchdog. The news report, coinciding with the Montreal Canadiens' first home game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, prompted a public outcry and elicited a declaration from French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge in support of the expression 'Go Habs Go!' At that time, the watchdog said it had 'contacted the (transit agency) to inform it of the complaint and remind it of its obligations under the (French-language) charter.' But the office didn't share details about the length of its review and the number of times it pressed transit officials for updates. The internal correspondence reveals how an adviser for the language office sent at least six emails to the transit agency between May 2024 and January 2025, informing the agency of a complaint and asking about its plans to fix the problem. The documents were obtained under access-to-information law. The complaint, received on April 29, 2024, related to city buses displaying the expression 'Go! CF Mtl Go!' – a reference to Montreal's professional soccer club. The transit agency initially responded to the language office in June 2024, explaining that such slogans give bus drivers 'a way to salute national sports teams.' Using the word 'go' kept the message shorter and prevented it from scrolling across the buses' electronic displays, the email explained. Still, the agency agreed to remove the word, but warned the process could take several months. In response, the adviser asked why the change couldn't be made 'over a few days when the vehicles are in the garage.' The transit agency replied that each bus had to have its display changed manually, using a USB key. In July, the language watchdog informed the agency that the complaint would remain open until all the buses had been changed. The adviser then followed up two more times over the fall and winter to request updates. Eventually, the transit agency reported in January that 1,002 of its 1,104 buses had been updated, and the remaining 102 buses were out of service. The language office then agreed to close the complaint, on condition that each of the remaining buses would be updated before returning to service. In an email statement to The Canadian Press, a spokesperson for the language watchdog said the correspondence is 'part of a normal process for handling a complaint.' The language office never received a complaint about 'Go Habs Go' and was never informed that the transit agency was planning not to use the word 'go' in relation to the hockey team, said Gilles Payer. He said the office would not have pursued a complaint about 'Go Habs Go,' since the expression is a trademark, which does not need to be translated. A spokesperson for Roberge told The Canadian Press the minister was not aware of the issue until the change was first reported in April. But the documents show his own department was informed of the complaint shortly after it was received and intended to participate in the review. According to Quebec's French-language charter, complaints involving public bodies must be flagged to the French-language department. The department did not respond to questions about its role in response to this complaint. Roberge's spokesperson Thomas Verville said the language office received more than 10,000 complaints last year. 'The minister does not intervene in the complaints received' by the office, he said. 'That would be political interference.' Still, Roberge announced in April that he had held 'several discussions' with the language office, and that any future complaints about the expression 'Go Habs Go' would 'be deemed inadmissible.' He said the slogan has been used for decades to support the Montreal Canadiens. He also said employees of the language office were receiving threats. Verville said there is a 'huge difference' between using the word 'go' in reference to the Montreal soccer team as compared to the Montreal Canadiens. He said fans of CF Montréal typically chant 'Allez Montréal' during matches, while 'Go Habs Go' has long been part of Quebec culture. He added Roberge spoke out specifically to defend the expression 'Go Habs Go,' which was not the subject of the original complaint. He did not say whether the minister opposes the use of the word 'go' in reference to other sports teams. A spokesperson for the transit agency said it is still in discussions with the language office to 'obtain official confirmation that we are allowed to use the word 'go' in a sporting context and that we will not be penalized if we do so.' The agency says no change will be made before the buses undergo regular maintenance in the fall. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Quebec language office pressed transit agency for months before Habs playoff run
MONTREAL — Quebec's language watchdog contacted the Montreal transit agency at least six times in the wake of a complaint about using the word "go" on city buses to cheer on a local soccer team. The watchdog — the Office québécois de la langue française — asked for multiple updates on the agency's efforts to remove the word, and kept the complaint open for nine months until 'go' had been scrubbed from more than 1,000 city buses in Montreal, according to emails obtained by The Canadian Press. Advertisement The correspondence contrasts with the office's public comments responding to an April report in the Montreal Gazette that revealed how the transit agency had replaced the expression 'Go! Canadiens Go!' on its buses with 'Allez! Canadiens Allez!' to appease the watchdog. The news report, coinciding with the Montreal Canadiens' first home game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, prompted a public outcry and elicited a declaration from French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge in support of the expression 'Go Habs Go!' At that time, the watchdog said it had 'contacted the (transit agency) to inform it of the complaint and remind it of its obligations under the (French-language) charter.' But the office didn't share details about the length of its review and the number of times it pressed transit officials for updates. The internal correspondence reveals how an adviser for the language office sent at least six emails to the transit agency between May 2024 and January 2025, informing the agency of a complaint and asking about its plans to fix the problem. The documents were obtained under access-to-information law. Advertisement The complaint, received on April 29, 2024, related to city buses displaying the expression 'Go! CF Mtl Go!' – a reference to Montreal's professional soccer club. The transit agency initially responded to the language office in June 2024, explaining that such slogans give bus drivers 'a way to salute national sports teams.' Using the word 'go' kept the message shorter and prevented it from scrolling across the buses' electronic displays, the email explained. Still, the agency agreed to remove the word, but warned the process could take several months. In response, the adviser asked why the change couldn't be made 'over a few days when the vehicles are in the garage.' The transit agency replied that each bus had to have its display changed manually, using a USB key. Advertisement In July, the language watchdog informed the agency that the complaint would remain open until all the buses had been changed. The adviser then followed up two more times over the fall and winter to request updates. Eventually, the transit agency reported in January that 1,002 of its 1,104 buses had been updated, and the remaining 102 buses were out of service. The language office then agreed to close the complaint, on condition that each of the remaining buses would be updated before returning to service. In an email statement to The Canadian Press, a spokesperson for the language watchdog said the correspondence is 'part of a normal process for handling a complaint.' The language office never received a complaint about 'Go Habs Go' and was never informed that the transit agency was planning not to use the word 'go' in relation to the hockey team, said Gilles Payer. Advertisement He said the office would not have pursued a complaint about 'Go Habs Go,' since the expression is a trademark, which does not need to be translated. A spokesperson for Roberge told The Canadian Press the minister was not aware of the issue until the change was first reported in April. But the documents show his own department was informed of the complaint shortly after it was received and intended to participate in the review. According to Quebec's French-language charter, complaints involving public bodies must be flagged to the French-language department. The department did not respond to questions about its role in response to this complaint. Advertisement Roberge's spokesperson Thomas Verville said the language office received more than 10,000 complaints last year. 'The minister does not intervene in the complaints received' by the office, he said. 'That would be political interference.' Still, Roberge announced in April that he had held 'several discussions' with the language office, and that any future complaints about the expression 'Go Habs Go' would 'be deemed inadmissible.' He said the slogan has been used for decades to support the Montreal Canadiens. He also said employees of the language office were receiving threats. Verville said there is a 'huge difference' between using the word 'go' in reference to the Montreal soccer team as compared to the Montreal Canadiens. He said fans of CF Montréal typically chant 'Allez Montréal' during matches, while 'Go Habs Go' has long been part of Quebec culture. He added Roberge spoke out specifically to defend the expression 'Go Habs Go,' which was not the subject of the original complaint. He did not say whether the minister opposes the use of the word 'go' in reference to other sports teams. Advertisement A spokesperson for the transit agency said it is still in discussions with the language office to 'obtain official confirmation that we are allowed to use the word 'go' in a sporting context and that we will not be penalized if we do so.' The agency says no change will be made before the buses undergo regular maintenance in the fall. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Maura Forrest, The Canadian Press
Global News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Quebec language office pressed transit agency for months before Habs playoff run
Quebec's language watchdog contacted the Montreal transit agency at least six times in the wake of a complaint about using the word 'go' on city buses to cheer on a local soccer team. The watchdog — the Office québécois de la langue française — asked for multiple updates on the agency's efforts to remove the word, and kept the complaint open for nine months until 'go' had been scrubbed from more than 1,000 city buses in Montreal, according to emails obtained by The Canadian Press. The correspondence contrasts with the office's public comments responding to an April report in the Montreal Gazette that revealed how the transit agency had replaced the expression 'Go! Canadiens Go!' on its buses with 'Allez! Canadiens Allez!' to appease the watchdog. The news report, coinciding with the Montreal Canadiens' first home game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, prompted a public outcry and elicited a declaration from French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge in support of the expression 'Go Habs Go!' Story continues below advertisement At that time, the watchdog said it had 'contacted the (transit agency) to inform it of the complaint and remind it of its obligations under the (French-language) charter.' But the office didn't share details about the length of its review and the number of times it pressed transit officials for updates. The internal correspondence reveals how an adviser for the language office sent at least six emails to the transit agency between May 2024 and January 2025, informing the agency of a complaint and asking about its plans to fix the problem. The documents were obtained under access-to-information law. The complaint, received on April 29, 2024, related to city buses displaying the expression 'Go! CF Mtl Go!' – a reference to Montreal's professional soccer club. 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 The transit agency initially responded to the language office in June 2024, explaining that such slogans give bus drivers 'a way to salute national sports teams.' Using the word 'go' kept the message shorter and prevented it from scrolling across the buses' electronic displays, the email explained. Still, the agency agreed to remove the word, but warned the process could take several months. In response, the adviser asked why the change couldn't be made 'over a few days when the vehicles are in the garage.' The transit agency replied that each bus had to have its display changed manually, using a USB key. Story continues below advertisement In July, the language watchdog informed the agency that the complaint would remain open until all the buses had been changed. The adviser then followed up two more times over the fall and winter to request updates. Eventually, the transit agency reported in January that 1,002 of its 1,104 buses had been updated, and the remaining 102 buses were out of service. The language office then agreed to close the complaint, on condition that each of the remaining buses would be updated before returning to service. In an email statement to The Canadian Press, a spokesperson for the language watchdog said the correspondence is 'part of a normal process for handling a complaint.' The language office never received a complaint about 'Go Habs Go' and was never informed that the transit agency was planning not to use the word 'go' in relation to the hockey team, said Gilles Payer. He said the office would not have pursued a complaint about 'Go Habs Go,' since the expression is a trademark, which does not need to be translated. A spokesperson for Roberge told The Canadian Press the minister was not aware of the issue until the change was first reported in April. But the documents show his own department was informed of the complaint shortly after it was received and intended to participate in the review. According to Quebec's French-language charter, complaints involving public bodies must be flagged to the French-language department. Story continues below advertisement The department did not respond to questions about its role in response to this complaint. Roberge's spokesperson Thomas Verville said the language office received more than 10,000 complaints last year. 'The minister does not intervene in the complaints received' by the office, he said. 'That would be political interference.' Still, Roberge announced in April that he had held 'several discussions' with the language office, and that any future complaints about the expression 'Go Habs Go' would 'be deemed inadmissible.' He said the slogan has been used for decades to support the Montreal Canadiens. He also said employees of the language office were receiving threats. Verville said there is a 'huge difference' between using the word 'go' in reference to the Montreal soccer team as compared to the Montreal Canadiens. He said fans of CF Montréal typically chant 'Allez Montréal' during matches, while 'Go Habs Go' has long been part of Quebec culture. He added Roberge spoke out specifically to defend the expression 'Go Habs Go,' which was not the subject of the original complaint. He did not say whether the minister opposes the use of the word 'go' in reference to other sports teams. A spokesperson for the transit agency said it is still in discussions with the language office to 'obtain official confirmation that we are allowed to use the word 'go' in a sporting context and that we will not be penalized if we do so.' Story continues below advertisement The agency says no change will be made before the buses undergo regular maintenance in the fall.
