Latest news with #OQLF
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
OQLF wrote to STM 6 times to remove the word ‘go' from buses
A bus is seen with the expression "Allez! Canadiens Allez!" in Montreal on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi) 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 (OQLF) — 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.
Montreal Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: What are the signage rules for ‘Bankruptcy Sale'?
The new regulations regarding exterior signage and packaging take effect on June 1. One wonders whether businesses that will not — or can't afford to — change their signage or packaging will be forced to close their doors and lay off employees rather than paying hefty fines imposed for non-compliance. In such a case, we certainly hope that the OQLF makes sure that the Vente de Liquidation sign is substantially larger than the Going Out of Business sign. Allen Rubin, Westmount Hats off to those who care for us Re: ' We don't want applause, but deserve respect ' (Opinion, May 27) Dr. Shaun Selcer's brilliantly written commentary deserves a standing ovation. It provides clarity not only on just how broken our health-care system is, but also on those who work tirelessly for the public while having to constantly struggle against this outrageous system we all must endure. He and others like him deserve our thanks for their dedication and commitment. I can only imagine what our society would look like if these dedicated doctors walked away. Elizabeth Bright, Côte-St-Luc The joy a pet brings is worth celebrating Re: ' A party for Turtle ' (Features, May 26) Having said goodbye to some of our animals, I can understand this family's grief — and their idea of a celebration of their dog's life was wonderful. Turtle was surely smiling down at them. Many people won't welcome another animal after a pet's death, saying it hurts too much. But I have always felt it is wonderful to share your life and love with a new animal, and give them a chance at a great life. Opening your heart can bring sorrow, but also so much joy. I'd risk it without hesitation. Suzanne Lacroix, St-Laurent Skip the politics, pass the bread Re: ' Sorry for Trump's interference ' (Letters, April 30) My wife and I occasionally visit Hyannis on Cape Cod to savour fine dining at an elegant Italian restaurant. During chats with the new owner, the diligent restaurateur repeated one overriding concern — the rash of calls coming from Canadian bus lines to cancel annual summer reservations. We empathize, of course, while also lamenting America's role in creating this quagmire. We dine to briefly forget this calamity. Our country's long, uneven experiment in democracy is facing its most grievous threat since the Civil War. While attorneys general in Democratic states and popular dissent are cobbling together a makeshift resistance, the current administration — with Republican backing — is eagerly dismantling democracy. As historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat put it starkly: 'Republicans have exited democracy.' And it is about to leave the population more frightened, sicker and poorer. In a divided land, we must seek some solace as a relentless authoritarian machine is afoot. Pass the warm, crusty bread, please. R. Jay Allain, Orleans, Mass. Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Montreal Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: More rules, more reason for businesses to abandon Quebec
Amazon, which closed its warehouses in Quebec, probably doesn't worry too much about the Office québécois de la langue française. But should the OQLF try to go after Amazon outside Quebec, Jeff Bezos might suggest to Donald Trump that it would be a case of unfair business practices. And the U.S. president might respond by telling Premier François Legault to rein in the OQLF or face, say, a 100 per cent tariff on Quebec aluminum. For Long & McQuade, one solution might be to open a store just across the Ontario border in Hawkesbury or Cornwall. Montrealers could take a trip to shop for their music accessories and bring home some wine (less expensive at the LCBO) and fill up their car with cheaper gas. Ragnar Radtke, Beaconsfield Manoir Kanisha will be missed I'm disappointed no solutions were found to save Manoir Kanisha while expanding Trudeau airport. The team there provided excellent services to my golden retrievers for more than 25 years. Many clients from abroad and in Montreal benefited from its location, quality, access to veterinary attention, and the care it offered. It is a shame airport management seemed not to understand the value it provided. Katherine Moxness, Westmount Westmount roads in sorry state, too Re: ' Hampstead cleared to repave Ellerdale Rd. ' (The Gazette, May 23) Now that Hampstead is set to resurface Ellerdale Rd., let's focus on Westmount, one of the wealthiest communities in Canada with some of the worst roads. Sherbrooke St. W. resembles a washboard, The Boulevard a detonated minefield and Cedar Ave. looks downright dangerous, particularly at the intersection of Clarke Ave. The roads have been in this state for years. It is an insult to a beautiful part of our city. An investigation is in order. Gerry Greenblatt, Montreal Good Samaritan warms the heart Too often, we read about people tragically being in the wrong place at the wrong time. How positively life-affirming and inspiring it is, then, to read of this 'mystery hero' being in the right place at the right time to save Sabato Borrelli's life by administering CPR. Bravissimo! Barry Beloff, Montreal Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Montreal Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
‘It's complicated to comply': Quebec's new French signage law carries $30,000-a-day fines
Quebec News By Sweeping new French-language rules take effect in Quebec on June 1, bringing new requirements — and potentially hefty consequences for businesses that don't comply. The updated rules, part of Premier François Legault's push to reinforce the presence of French in public life, could lead to noticeable changes in business signage — and even affect the range of products available to shoppers. Under the changes, companies with names or trademarks in English or another language must add enough French wording so that French occupies twice the visual space of the other language. New rules on product packaging are also coming into effect, as are francization requirements for companies with 25 to 49 employees. To help clarify the rules, The Gazette spoke with Jean-Philippe Mikus, a lawyer with the Fasken law firm, and Michel Rochette, Quebec president of the Retail Council of Canada. French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge declined an interview request. What is the new sign rule? As of June 1, any non-French company name or trademark used on public signs visible from outside business premises must be accompanied by 'markedly predominant' French words. Even partial non-French words can be targeted, such as 'soft' in a software company's name, Mikus said. The law covers exterior signage, interior signs visible from outside and any displays viewable from public areas within office buildings and shopping malls. What types of French terms can be added? The French can be in the form of a word, a description or a slogan. 'You could put in a description of the types of products you sell, you could have signage that discusses other aspects of your business,' Mikus said. But not all French words 'contribute to ensuring the marked predominance of French,' according to the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), the province's language watchdog. For example, a sign showing business hours doesn't count. Neither do articles such as le, la, les, un, une, des and du. The OQLF offers the example of a hypothetical butcher shop called Boucherie Best Beef. To comply with the law, the owners have several options. They could install a 'Boucherie' sign twice as big as the name, above Best Beef. They could add 'Saveur et fraîcheur' immediately under their current sign. Or they could place the words 'Charcuterie' and 'Traiteur' above the windows and door. How does Quebec define 'markedly predominant'? French 'must have a much greater visual impact compared to the other languages,' the OQLF says. That means French must 'occupy a space at least twice as large' as the text in another language. 'Basically, you have to take a tape measure and calculate the space,' Mikus said. Then, you either add French words or remove English ones to ensure the correct proportion. The OQLF says the French words must 'have a permanent character and visibility and readability at least equivalent to those of any text in another language.' The French must also 'be designed, lit and located in such a way as to allow them to be read at all times, easily and simultaneously.' As Mikus puts it: 'You can't comply by taking a bedsheet, spray-painting something in French on it and attaching it to the front of your store.' The French must also be in the same visual field as the other language. That means the French 'must be in the same overall view where all the components of the public display are visible and readable at the same time without it being necessary to move,' the OQLF says. The rules are highly detailed to close potential loopholes. For example, with electronic 'dynamic displays' — where messages scroll or alternate — the OQLF says the French text must remain visible at least twice as long as any other language to have the dominant visual impact required. What are the potential penalties? Several major chains in Montreal do not appear to have updated their signs to meet the new requirements. Officials at the retailers did not respond to Gazette requests for comment. They could face stiff fines. The OQLF normally investigates after receiving a complaint from the public, with anonymous ones now permitted because of a change brought in by the Coalition Avenir Québec government. Once the OQLF receives a complaint, it alerts the company, asking it to comply with the law. Failure to do so could result in fines of $3,000 to $30,000 per day for organizations. Amounts are doubled or tripled for subsequent offences. What issues are adding complexity to the rollout? 'It's complicated to comply,' Rochette said. 'We've tried to explain to the government that it's not just a question of willingness — it's also about obtaining authorization from cities and landlords.' A business may need a municipal permit or permission from a landlord to change signage, and it may want to check with the OQLF to ensure its plan complies. 'That can take really long because in some cases we're talking about hundreds of stores that are all different and in cities that might have different regulations regarding signage,' Rochette said. In addition, some municipalities have rules regarding the amount of signage allowed, meaning some businesses will have to reduce the size of their trademarked names before adding French words. Some stores may also have multiple signs — some outside a mall and others on the storefront in the mall. How long have companies had to comply? The change was part of a wave of reforms introduced by the Legault government in 2022 with the enactment of Bill 96, a significant overhaul of the Charter of the French Language, commonly known as Bill 101. However, some details regarding commercial signs were only announced in June 2022. 'Retailers have only had a few months to comply with a big scope of change,' Rochette said. In an emailed response to questions from The Gazette, Roberge's office dismissed that complaint. 'The concept of clear predominance ... has been in effect since 1993 for public signage and commercial advertising, with the exception of trademarks and company names in a language other than French,' a spokesperson said. When Bill 96 was passed, businesses knew 'the requirement for the clear predominance of French would also apply to the display of trademarks and company names (as of June 1, 2025). The regulation published on June 26, 2024 provided clarifications and defines certain concepts, but the requirements were already known.' However, Roberge's version of events contradicts what the OQLF told The Gazette in 2023 when the newspaper reported on a Notre-Dame-de-Grâce pub owner who was told his sign contravened language rules. At the time, the OQLF was asked whether the French descriptor that the pub was going to add to its sign would, as of June 1, 2025, have to be twice as big as the name of the pub. In her response, an OQLF spokesperson said Quebec had not yet defined 'the notion of 'clear predominance'' in the context of trademark signs. What are some misconceptions about the sign rules? English isn't the only target. Even a company that, say, decided to include a Spanish word in its name to sound exotic, for example, must also change its signage to make French twice as prominent, Mikus said. Historic names are not exempt. 'There's no grandfathering of existing signage or existing businesses, so it applies to any business, even if it was your great, great, great, great grandfather who started the company in the 18th century,' he said. It's not only about big companies. 'Even very, very small businesses are affected,' Mikus said. 'It could be your local hairdresser or laundromat.' The new rules go beyond retailers. 'It's any business — it could be an industrial establishment, it could be a commercial establishment, it could be an office building,' he said. How much does it cost to change signs? Roberge once estimated the total cost for Quebec retailers to comply would range from $7 million to $15 million. That estimate is unrealistically low, retailers say. Rochette said a single chain with many stores could end up spending $15 million to $20 million. What can companies do if they can't comply by June 1? Businesspeople who have not considered the issue should immediately assess their signage, Mikus said. 'If they're not able to comply by June 1, they should at least have a plan,' he said. 'That way, if there's a complaint and the OQLF sends a demand letter, they can say, 'Look, we're in the process of doing this — we placed an order with a signage company. Here's what we're planning to do.'' Generally, 'when you show the OQLF you're co-operating in the process, they won't necessarily impose a fine immediately,' Mikus said. If a company receives an OQLF letter, 'before having a knee-jerk reaction and responding with an email and saying all sorts of things, it might be wise to consult a lawyer, given the level of fines,' he added. 'Just to figure out: Am I saying the right things?' He said an ill-considered email could harm a company's case in court. 'Basically, you might be making yourself toast just by sending a letter out,' Mikus said. What are the new packaging rules? As of June 1, if the registered trademark on packaging includes generic or descriptive words in a language other than French, these components must be translated into French on the package. Under the previous rule, when a brand was protected by a trademark, such a translation was not mandatory. Rochette said the change will hurt Quebec retailers such as music stores, hobby shops and hunting and fishing outfitters. These businesses sell imported, specialized products that often come in English-only packaging. Manufacturers are unlikely to translate labels solely for the small Quebec market, he noted. The rules could lead some stores to stop selling items to avoid potential fines, leading customers to foreign online retailers that are difficult to regulate, Rochette said. What are the new rules regarding companies with 25 to 49 employees? Quebec has long required companies with 50 or more employees to undergo a francization process. As of June 1, that obligation will extend to companies with 25 to 49 employees. These companies must register with the OQLF and then assess the use of French in their operations and communications, and submit findings to the OQLF. If the OQLF determines that the use of French is not widespread, it will notify the company that it must 'develop and implement a francization plan.' The plan is meant to ensure that French becomes the main language of work, communication, documentation and internal operations as spelled out in Bill 101. Failing to comply with the francization process can cost a company. Businesses seeking provincial grants, public contracts or bidding on government tenders must provide proof from the OQLF that they comply with the francization process.
Montreal Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
‘They're attacking culture': Quebec's new French packaging rules spark backlash
By Sébastien Caza should be a poster child for Quebec's efforts to safeguard the French language. Instead, he's an outspoken critic of new language rules taking effect June 1 — measures that could put his employer, the Ontario-based Long & McQuade music store chain, on the wrong side of the law. The culprit: all-English packaging on guitar strings and other products. 'English is the universal language in the music world and our little nation of Quebec is not going to change that,' said Caza, a district manager at Long & McQuade, which employs about 300 people at 18 Quebec stores. A manufacturer might sell only a few hundred guitar strings a month in Quebec — barely a blip compared to the tens of thousands sold globally, he said. Translating into French or other languages 'isn't worth it for them, it's too complex. They will choose to no longer sell the product,' Caza said. 'Quebec is so small — it represents between 0.3 and 0.4 of the world market.' As of June 1, the OQLF says, 'the generic or descriptive elements of a trademark (such as ingredients, colour, scent, or other characteristics of the product) must also appear in French.' Failure to follow the rules could result in fines of $3,000 to $30,000 per day for organizations. Fines are doubled or tripled for subsequent offences. Last month, the U.S. government said requiring generic terms and product descriptions in Quebec to be translated into French is a 'technical barrier to trade.' The change is among several language measures coming into force June 1, including tougher restrictions on commercial signs. A francophone who has spent years helping Long & McQuade comply with Quebec language rules, Caza said the packaging requirements could devastate his industry. 'If products are removed from stores, well, you'll log in to Amazon, you'll order the guitar strings, and you'll receive the box. Jeff Bezos will make money. Meanwhile, music stores will close or become smaller.' The government has said the rules apply to websites. 'Technically, yes, but don't tell me the billions of products Amazon sells are all in French,' said Michel Rochette, Quebec president of the Retail Council of Canada. Amazon 'tries to comply, but they cannot, and it's not possible.' Some websites, such as Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu, 'are not regulated at all,' he added. 'You can find anything online, with or without any kind of respect for Quebec regulations.' Caza said the Coalition Avenir Québec government's actions could lead to job cuts and revenue losses not only at music stores, but also at shops that sell hunting, fishing and hobby equipment. All sell imported, specialized products. The OQLF has said it will investigate potential rule violations if a citizen files a complaint. The CAQ government permitted anonymous complaints starting in 2022, leading to a surge in denunciations. Caza is steeling himself for the government to come calling. 'If someone files a complaint on the OQLF site, I will receive an email: 'Mr. Caza, you have 10 days to remove this product. Have a nice day.'' Until June 1, 2027, companies are allowed to sell non-compliant products manufactured before June 1, 2025. Caza said he's not sure how he'll prove a product was made before the deadline. 'We don't sell milk — there's no date on guitar strings,' he said, adding that he may have to dig up invoices to determine when each package was ordered. Caza said he understands the need to protect French. As head of Long & McQuade's francization committee, he oversees compliance with Quebec language laws, including requirements for French-language software and internal communications. He said the company has spent millions over five years to meet those obligations. 'We are here for the protection of French,' Caza said. Rochette said the government initially seemed open to discussing the packaging requirements, 'but there are no exceptions at all, so there is a major problem for some stores because they can't change the labelling themselves. 'We asked for flexibility, but nothing is on the table. So on June 1, a lot of stores will find it difficult keeping many products on their shelves.' Caza said about 85 per cent of products in Long & McQuade stores have English-only packaging, including microphones, wireless systems and amplifiers. The company can't create French stickers for every product because that would cost millions. Graphic artists, translators and printing technicians would be required. 'We're not a printing company — we sell joy, we sell music,' he said. Caza said he told the government stores could simply add small QR code stickers to every product that would take customers to Long & McQuade's website, where French descriptions are available. However, the province appears to have rejected that suggestion, he said. The rules also target instruction manuals and warranty cards. Long & McQuade is working with manufacturers to provide French alternatives. Most manuals are already multilingual, Caza said. As for warranty cards, non-French ones are being replaced with a QR code that sends customers to a website where they can fill them out in any language. The rules technically also apply to words on products — words like 'input,' 'treble,' and 'reverb' on guitar amplifiers, for example. But Caza said the government has indicated it will make an exception for those words, as it did with appliances such as washing machines, stoves and coffee makers. Caza, a professional bassist for 35 years, said the government is doing real damage to the cultural industry. 'They're attacking culture, attacking musicians, attacking specialized stores,' he said. 'The culture industry is already difficult in Quebec. We don't need to add another problem for musicians.' The packaging rules are among several measures taking effect now under Bill 96, a major 2022 overhaul of the Charter of the French Language, commonly known as Bill 101. One change affects companies with 25 to 49 employees. They must now register with the OQLF and show they comply with language requirements. Until now, the cutoff was 50 employees. Commercial signage is also a major focus of the new rules. As of June 1, companies with names in English or another language must add enough French wording so French is 'markedly predominant.' That regulation is creating headaches for stores of all sizes, Rochette said, noting that overhauling signs is complicated by differing municipal bylaws and landlord restrictions. Companies have had less than a year to ensure their signs comply. That's because the government only revealed key details — including the fact that the space allotted to French must be twice as large as that of other languages — in June 2024. That did not give businesses enough time, Rochette said. 'Retailers have only had a few months to comply with a big scope of change.' Several major retail chains with English in their names appear not to be yet compliant with the new regulations. The Gazette contacted several of them, but did not get responses. Rochette said he had asked for an emergency meeting with French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge several months ago. It will take place on Monday with officials who work for the minister. Retailers still hope Quebec will allow some exceptions to the packaging rules and give an extension to the sign deadline. Rochette said he's concerned unless the rules are relaxed or the government signals a willingness to be flexible, companies could be publicly targeted for violating regulations through no fault of their own. It's not unheard of for the Premier François Legault government to reverse course on French rules. In April, after The Gazette revealed the OQLF had ordered Montreal's transit agency not to use the English word 'Go' in messages such as 'Go! Canadiens Go!' on buses, Roberge ordered the OQLF to back down.
