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CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
Adam Fazackerley, an employee at Pub Burgundy Lion opens the patio in Montreal, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. Pub Burgundy Lion sign Quebec's language watchdog is reviewing the sign of Montreal's Pub Burgundy Lion, but its co-owner says changing it would be a disservice to the Little Burgundy community. The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. -- More to come. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. Story continues below advertisement This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quebec language watchdog backtracks on pub sign it deemed too English
MONTREAL – Quebec's language watchdog has backed down after trying to get a well-known Montreal pub to change its sign. The language office had instructed Pub Burgundy Lion to add French language to its sign because 'burgundy' is an English word. But co-owner Toby Lyle argued publicly that the name is a nod to a Montreal neighbourhood commonly called by its English name — Little Burgundy. The watchdog now says that further analysis shows the pub's signage does conform with Quebec's language rules. It says the situation is 'regrettable' and it is sensitive to the public reaction the story has provoked. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. The incident is the second highly publicized reversal at the language office in recent months, after the watchdog decided this spring to allow the word 'go' to encourage sports teams. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Montreal Gazette
4 days 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
4 days 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.
