French criminals | The Journal of Montreal

Most of the companies complaining about violating the rules on signage and services in French, especially the 10 banners condemned, most of them foreign.

The Office Quebecois de la Longue Francis (OQLF) has compiled an excellent list of the 10 companies that received the most complaints about the French language contacted by Le Journal in 2020-2021.

This year represents the worst in terms of complaints filed with the OQLF for at least five years, totaling 4,326, most of which are 80% of concern organizations in the Montreal area. The top 10 banners on the list represent 7% of all complaints.

Tim Horton led the way with 64 complaints, over 80% of which were service language, followed by Walmart (43 complaints) and Dollarama (40 complaints).

“Unforgivable”

The “unforgivable” record of these companies shows that they have to test their conscience, protested Jean-Paul Peralt, president of the French Imperative Organization.

“These are companies that have ways of respecting Quebec’s cultural environment, but they are polluting it. […] That would weaken its recognition 50 years after the French language charter was adopted, ”he denied.

Maxim Laporte, president of the French Quebec Movement, thinks no one is “surprised” by the names on the list.

“Multinational corporations are often less sensitive to French status. They do not respect our fundamental rights enforced by charter [de la langue française], Do not hesitate to boycott it and admire the competitor, “he said.

A more serious version

Bill 96, on the integrity of Bill 101, which is in the consultation stage in the National Assembly, provides for more drastic measures in terms of the language and signs of the service.

Of these, higher penalties and new powers for OQLF, which may require corrective action from businesses. Currently, the body only raises awareness. Under current law, fines are imposed in less than 1% of cases.

Former Cultural Affairs Minister Louis Boudoin, who has been critical of the bill, however, feels that the issue is not too small, as OQLF, with its current powers, is not sufficiently afraid of those who break the law.

The person responsible for honoring the French Charter from 1995 to 1998 was “if this applies, it must change something.” These companies have no choice but to change. “

Five companies, Walmart, IGA, Metro, Dollarama and PFK, responded to our report, often defending their respect for the French language charter and seeking appropriate corrections if a complaint was made. Both IGA and Metro said it was “surprising” to be on the list.