Quebec to mandate big chain retailers have French on trademark signs

[renard_ruse]

Provincial Quebec language authorities are warning retailers with English names their store signs must contain French or they may face fines.

Montreal, the busiest shopping hub of the province, is awash in signs for national and U.S. chain stores such as Home Depot, Old Navy and Banana Republic, many of which add no French to their trademarked logo signs, the National Post reported Thursday.

The provincial language authority began issuing written warnings to the stores last month, saying they were in contravention of the provincial Bill 101, which requires all signs contain French...

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-N...glish-signs/UPI-66971340281449/#ixzz1ydtWkrMw

I admire their commitment to preserve their language and stand up to the greedy multinational companies.

 

[badbabysitter]

I admire their commitment to preserve their language and stand up to the greedy multinational companies.

so you think it's a good thing that governments can now dictate how business is run


yep...that's so very conservative of you

 

[semen4her]

Old news.

Loi 101 from the marvelous Parti Québécois brought this into effect decades ago.

French is the first language of the province so I have no problem with it.

 

[renard_ruse]

so you think it's a good thing that governments can now dictate how business is run

yep...that's so very conservative of you

When did I ever say I was "conservative"? Maybe socially and culturally conservative (true conservative), but I've never claimed to be a laissez-faire crapitalist or economic conservative. Laissez-faire crapitalism is actually a form of classical liberalism anyway. I'm a philosophical nationalist and anti-globalist.

 

[badbabysitter]

When did I ever say I was "conservative"? Maybe socially and culturally conservative (true conservative), but I've never claimed to be a laissez-faire crapitalist or economic conservative. Laissez-faire crapitalism is actually a form of classical liberalism anyway. I'm a philosophical nationalist and anti-globalist.

this law also applies to Mom and Pop corner stores

lets say for instance, you have a family hardware shop that's been open 75 years in Montreal,, which has a very large English speaking population


you think your being closed down because your sign doesnt comply with a new law is a good thing ? despite there being no laws in any other provinces forcing them to be in English?

 

[renard_ruse]

this law also applies to Mom and Pop corner stores

lets say for instance, you have a family hardware shop that's been open 75 years in Montreal,, which has a very large English speaking population


you think your being closed down because your sign doesnt comply with a new law is a good thing ? despite there being no laws in any other provinces forcing them to be in English?

This is about big chain retailers who are saying that their trademarks are exempt from the French signage laws. The local stores have already been under the 101 law for several decades.

The other provinces aren't surrounded by 350 million speakers of French so they don't feel a need to protect English. Quebec is a small French speaking island in an ocean of English. Isn't it reasonable they feel threatened?

 

[semen4her]

derppp

 

[badbabysitter]

This is about big chain retailers who are saying that their trademarks are exempt from the French signage laws. The local stores have already been under the 101 law for several decades.

The other provinces aren't surrounded by 350 million speakers of French so they don't feel a need to protect English. Quebec is a small French speaking island in an ocean of English. Isn't it reasonable they feel threatened?

Yes,, this article is about big retail chains... but local shops have also been prosecuted under nearly identical laws which have also been on the books for ages


welcome to Quebec...where laws are applied only when the government deems them appropriate...for example did you realize it took them over 20 years to end their Emergency Powers Bill after the FLQ attacks in the 70's?


and dont give me tired bullshit about being threatened by non French speakers... I live in Vancouver..wherin that " white" is still the largest ethnic group..we make up a minority of the population

by your logic...we should feel threatened being surrounded in an ocean of non-English speakers...yet, strangely, that's not the case


the Bloc used to have a stranglehold on federal politics... that 11 % of the national population could dictate what the other 89 % could do was offensive and unreasonable...

this is a flailing attack to preserve their power... no more, no less

 

[loquere]

With every peice of nationalist legistlation these people are telling Are business leaders that they don't want our investments. Companies won't invest in places they see as instable and Quebec seems unstable with little tolerance.

Quebec needs to calm down because soon Canadian are going to hold a referendum if they want to keep them as part of the country.

They're going to turn themselves into a third world nation.

I starting to not want them in North America.

 

[renard_ruse]

Yes,, this article is about big retail chains... but local shops have also been prosecuted under nearly identical laws which have also been on the books for ages


welcome to Quebec...where laws are applied only when the government deems them appropriate...for example did you realize it took them over 20 years to end their Emergency Powers Bill after the FLQ attacks in the 70's?


and dont give me tired bullshit about being threatened by non French speakers... I live in Vancouver..wherin that " white" is still the largest ethnic group..we make up a minority of the population

by your logic...we should feel threatened being surrounded in an ocean of non-English speakers...yet, strangely, that's not the case


the Bloc used to have a stranglehold on federal politics... that 11 % of the national population could dictate what the other 89 % could do was offensive and unreasonable...

this is a flailing attack to preserve their power... no more, no less

The "lingua franca" in Vancouver, as far as I know, is English. In Montreal, many of the immigrants would assimilate with the local English speaking community rather then the French speaking one. That is part of the reason for the language laws in the first place.

The first time I went to Montreal I didn't know that there was so much English spoken there. I ended up in West Montreal my first night. I went to the grocery store around the corner and was spoken to in English. Then a bum on the street asked me for money in English. In McDonald's the employee spoke to me in English. I was like, what the hell is this? I came for the French culture and everyone is speaking and living in English? If it wasn't for the French signage I would have assumed I was in an English speaking society. It was strange. I learned more the next day about the west side traditionally being English speaking but I also was approached by people speaking English in the east side too, including from a hooker, lol. Lots of English in Montreal, so I understand why the French speakers feel threatened.

Its Charest's Liberal government that is pushing the latest signage initiative, not the Parti Quebecois, although I agree its politically motivated.

 

[badbabysitter]

The "lingua franca" in Vancouver, as far as I know, is English. In Montreal, many of the immigrants would assimilate with the local English speaking community rather then the French speaking one. That is part of the reason for the language laws in the first place.

The first time I went to Montreal I didn't know that there was so much English spoken there. I ended up in West Montreal my first night. I went to the grocery store around the corner and was spoken to in English. Then a bum on the street asked me for money in English. In McDonald's the employee spoke to me in English. I was like, what the hell is this? I came for the French culture and everyone is speaking and living in English? If it wasn't for the French signage I would have assumed I was in an English speaking society. It was strange. I learned more the next day about the west side traditionally being English speaking but I also was approached by people speaking English in the east side too, including from a hooker, lol. Lots of English in Montreal, so I understand why the French speakers feel threatened.

Its Charest's Liberal government that is pushing the latest signage initiative, not the Parti Quebecois, although I agree its politically motivated.

Many people simply don't assimilate with the local tongue, especially if their community is large enough to ingratiate many aspects of their life... for example, I can speak conversational Mandarin simply because most of my childhood friends were Chinese and I was born and raised in Vancouver


please don't let my distaste for Quebec's thought police be any indication of an imagined distste for Quebec.. I love Montreal, it is easily the cultural heart of Canada still

but French speakers are feeling threatene d is because they're becoming an anachronism.. society changes, evolves and moves on...there is a reason why we're not speaking Olde English anymore

fighting inherent inevitable process with stop-gap law is foolish and draconian


and Charest being Liberal is far from being a liberal like a " Liberal" in the US... Liberal here means moderate right...especially considering Charest used to be part of the Conservative party

 

[renard_ruse]

Many people simply don't assimilate with the local tongue, especially if their community is large enough to ingratiate many aspects of their life... for example, I can speak conversational Mandarin simply because most of my childhood friends were Chinese and I was born and raised in Vancouver


please don't let my distaste for Quebec's thought police be any indication of an imagined distste for Quebec.. I love Montreal, it is easily the cultural heart of Canada still

but French speakers are feeling threatene d is because they're becoming an anachronism.. society changes, evolves and moves on...there is a reason why we're not speaking Olde English anymore

fighting inherent inevitable process with stop-gap law is foolish and draconian


and Charest being Liberal is far from being a liberal like a " Liberal" in the US... Liberal here means moderate right...especially considering Charest used to be part of the Conservative party

I understand what the Liberal Party of Canada and the Liberal Party of Quebec are (Liberal Party of Canada is relatively centrist by Canadian standards and the Liberal Party of Quebec is, sadly, relatively conservative by Quebec standards, and they are not the same party).

Your position is logically defensible (for a change), but I disagree that its inevitable that English will replace French. I think the language laws can prevent that without being unreasonable.

 

[hotguy1234]

Don't waste much time trying to debate issues like language in Quebec and changing their thought. Some politicians push the idea that their cultural difference is speaking French and it must be preserved at all costs.

They don't even care that it costs their economy in lost jobs, and sales. Since you can't even buy a TV with English instructions by choice. It is French only and you must write in to get the English manual. As a result English quebecers to get movies and things like this drive to Ontario or the US to buy stuff. And this isn't a problem to Quebec because it is better to try and keep the language pure.

You can't argue with that kind of lack of logic that wants to keep them as welfare province in Canada rather then doing steps necessary to make them actually have a decent economy all for the sake of removing outward noticeable traces of English spoken by a rather large minority of the population

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

Old news.

Loi 101 from the marvelous Parti Québécois brought this into effect decades ago.

French is the first language of the province so I have no problem with it.

I lived in Ontario most of my life. Dealt with the hypocrisy of my next door neighbours.

I have no issue with french being their native tongue, no issue with french being the dominant language.

I have a big issue with them persecuting english speaking businesses with their archaic views. This has nothing to do with saving the french language and everything to do with misguided french douchebaggery and entitlement.

Because that is what they are doing. They are persecuting english speaking Quebecers.

 

[hotguy1234]

I lived in Ontario most of my life. Dealt with the hypocrisy of my next door neighbours.

I have no issue with french being their native tongue, no issue with french being the dominant language.

I have a big issue with them persecuting english speaking businesses with their archaic views. This has nothing to do with saving the french language and everything to do with misguided french douchebaggery and entitlement.

Because that is what they are doing. They are persecuting english speaking Quebecers.

Sadly though if the politicians in Quebec stopped blaming English people and the rest of Canada for everything maybe Quebecers would wake up and see that since they started all separatist ideas, they took a city of Montreal that was once equal to toronto and a province that was equal financially to Ontario. And forced all new businesses and jobs to locate themselves in Ontario, decimating the economy of the province.

Then the politicians of Quebec would have to answer to real issues like how will they fix the province themselves. No that is too hard it is much easier to blame others, and then stick you hand out for extra money from the federal govt

 

[Minalick]

1. The language police have been around for decades... This is old news.

2. Unless you're from Quebec, you haven't any idea what it's like.

3. Up until the early 70's everything was English and French was being assimilated out. Know the history. There's some basis in fact for today's paranoia. I'm not excusing the politicians and the absurd language/culture restrictions they place on everything. But if you don't know how it all began, how can you expect to understand where they are going with their actions?

4. When you go to Europe, do you see everything in English in all countries?
Wtf is the big deal if there's another language being used? Are you really that lazy and ignorant that you can't handle it?

Three words for you, you fucktards:
"Je me souviens"

Now go back to your caves and let the rest of us evolve without you.

 

[hotguy1234]

1. The language police have been around for decades... This is old news.

2. Unless you're from Quebec, you haven't any idea what it's like.

3. Up until the early 70's everything was English and French was being assimilated out. Know the history. There's some basis in fact for today's paranoia. I'm not excusing the politicians and the absurd language/culture restrictions they place on everything. But if you don't know how it all began, how can you expect to understand where they are going with their actions?

4. When you go to Europe, do you see everything in English in all countries?
Wtf is the big deal if there's another language being used? Are you really that lazy and ignorant that you can't handle it?

Three words for you, you fucktards:
"Je me souviens"

Now go back to your caves and let the rest of us evolve without you.

most countries embrace the use of English if possible because they know it opens them up to international business.

Quebec is almost alone in the world in that they would prefer to fight against all traces of English at the expense of everything.

Love or hate English as a language it is used a lot around the world.

Even the French used in Quebec is really a bastard French. It is a slang mix of French and English with purely quebecois sayings in there.

People that come from French countries, that listen to Quebec really consider it to be a terrible form of French. But that is Quebec they will fight to preserve what they have as a language no matter what it is

 

[Minalick]

most countries embrace the use of English if possible because they know it opens them up to international business.

Quebec is almost alone in the world in that they would prefer to fight against all traces of English at the expense of everything.

Love or hate English as a language it is used a lot around the world.

Even the French used in Quebec is really a bastard French. It is a slang mix of French and English with purely quebecois sayings in there.

People that come from French countries, that listen to Quebec really consider it to be a terrible form of French. But that is Quebec they will fight to preserve what they have as a language no matter what it is

You are clearly a hater.
In which case your thought process is screwed by your prejudices and your opinions are nothing more then venom.

Almost everything you've written about Quebec has been twisted so far.
Maybe you should go find a thread you're more knowledgable about......like the Masturbating thread? You strike me as someone with a lot of time spent on that topic.

Aurevoir!

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

1. The language police have been around for decades... This is old news.

2. Unless you're from Quebec, you haven't any idea what it's like.

3. Up until the early 70's everything was English and French was being assimilated out. Know the history. There's some basis in fact for today's paranoia. I'm not excusing the politicians and the absurd language/culture restrictions they place on everything. But if you don't know how it all began, how can you expect to understand where they are going with their actions?

4. When you go to Europe, do you see everything in English in all countries?
Wtf is the big deal if there's another language being used? Are you really that lazy and ignorant that you can't handle it?

Three words for you, you fucktards:
"Je me souviens"

Now go back to your caves and let the rest of us evolve without you.

The bolded can easily be turned around. WTF is the problem with using english predominently in Quebec?

Why make it harder for primarily english speaking businesses to operate?

I do remember. Quebecers of either language are no different then any other Canadians of any other locale. They are not entitled to any special treatment, nor are they entitled to periodically hold the country hostage with their assine seperatist agendas that end up being minority driven anyways. We are CANADIAN. Full stop. One country. Not one country with a land mass that only periodically feels like being part of the group.

This has nothing to do with being unfair and "oh poor oppressed french-Quebec". This has everything to do with a butthurt minority with no sense of reality.

The bridge with regards to this needs to be built now. Either build it and get the fuck over it or GTFO. Period.

And don't leave with your hand out. Take the clothes on your back and leave. And find someone else to cry to about how bad you got it.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Langue de boeuf! The Francanuckistani language is French?! I've read that many Frenchmen deny that, rather indignantly!

 

[Minalick]

The bolded can easily be turned around. WTF is the problem with using english predominently in Quebec?

Why make it harder for primarily english speaking businesses to operate?

I do remember. Quebecers of either language are no different then any other Canadians of any other locale. They are not entitled to any special treatment, nor are they entitled to periodically hold the country hostage with their assine seperatist agendas that end up being minority driven anyways. We are CANADIAN. Full stop. One country. Not one country with a land mass that only periodically feels like being part of the group.

This has nothing to do with being unfair and "oh poor oppressed french-Quebec". This has everything to do with a butthurt minority with no sense of reality.

The bridge with regards to this needs to be built now. Either build it and get the fuck over it or GTFO. Period.

And don't leave with your hand out. Take the clothes on your back and leave. And find someone else to cry to about how bad you got it.

Or, more likely, it has everything to do with.... How dare you be different then us? We are better than you, therefore assimilate.

Honestly, I'm half French Québécois and half English Canadian.
The most hate I've gotten in my life for my background has been from the English Canadians. You'd like to think you have the "rational" answer, but in the end you're just as bad as the Québécois redneck who's never been outside his province and thinks all English people are pricks.

Hate goes both ways and it doesn't solve anything.

Poor corporate big business has to TM in French.
I'm sure there are people somewhere in the world weeping at the injustice.
You know like, maybe on Yonge Street? Or no wait.... That's just a couple who left the Starbucks in a snit because they couldn't get biscotti made to vegan standards and the double decaf expressos weren't strong enough. My mistake.

As you were....

 

[hotguy1234]

You are clearly a hater.
In which case your thought process is screwed by your prejudices and your opinions are nothing more then venom.

Almost everything you've written about Quebec has been twisted so far.
Maybe you should go find a thread you're more knowledgable about......like the Masturbating thread? You strike me as someone with a lot of time spent on that topic.

Aurevoir!

I am not a hater just because I use logic and I don't oppress a large minority in any part of Canada. I believe in the equal rights of all citizens in our country. A little thing called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That gives people equal access and rights. There are also federal laws stating that we have rights to access all things in English or French in all of Canada

Quebec just decided to piss on all forms of law and rise above it.

You call me a hater, but I believe in justice and freedom for all. Even the small English minority people I know in Quebec have rights.

 

[Minalick]

I am not a hater just because I use logic and I don't oppress a large minority in any part of Canada. I believe in the equal rights of all citizens in our country. A little thing called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That gives people equal access and rights. There are also federal laws stating that we have rights to access all things in English or French in all of Canada

Quebec just decided to piss on all forms of law and rise above it.

You call me a hater, but I believe in justice and freedom for all. Even the small English minority people I know in Quebec have rights.

How very altruistic of you.
Clap yourself on the back for standing up for the little guys.

Lol... Have even ever been to Montreal or Quebec? Other then driving through, that is?

You're so full of shit.

 

[hotguy1234]

How very altruistic of you.
Clap yourself on the back for standing up for the little guys.

Lol... Have even ever been to Montreal or Quebec? Other then driving through, that is?

You're so full of shit.

My wife lived in Quebec for many years, so I know the experiences of people that lived there, and yes I have other friends whether online or other places that have lived their too that can tell me what it is like.

I was in Montreal before yes, but what does that mean about anything.

I don't care what language people speak. French speaking is not culture or anything to do with a distinct society.

Specific events, things they do, parts of the old city, ties to the historic past and celebration of their heritage mean far more in expressing culture to me then the stupid language people speak.

I will never understand why they care so strongly in the spoken language it means nothing at all. Where I live it is mostly English, but now with all the people moving in from other countries they speak English to us, and their own language to each other. Even conversing in their work place in their own language when they are working as groups. Does it matter no, it is just a mode of communication.

I wouldn't force them to speak only French or English in public because this is Canada they are free to speak however they want

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

Or, more likely, it has everything to do with.... How dare you be different then us? We are better than you, therefore assimilate.

Honestly, I'm half French Québécois and half English Canadian.
The most hate I've gotten in my life for my background has been from the English Canadians. You'd like to think you have the "rational" answer, but in the end you're just as bad as the Québécois redneck who's never been outside his province and thinks all English people are pricks.

Hate goes both ways and it doesn't solve anything.

Poor corporate big business has to TM in French.
I'm sure there are people somewhere in the world weeping at the injustice.
You know like, maybe on Yonge Street? Or no wait.... That's just a couple who left the Starbucks in a snit because they couldn't get biscotti made to vegan standards and the double decaf expressos weren't strong enough. My mistake.

As you were....

Ooooo ya you don't sound entitled and "oh woe is me" at all. Because this....

I do remember. Quebecers of either language are no different then any other Canadians of any other locale. They are not entitled to any special treatment, nor are they entitled to periodically hold the country hostage with their assine seperatist agendas that end up being minority driven anyways. We are CANADIAN. Full stop. One country. Not one country with a land mass that only periodically feels like being part of the group.

....sounds completely like I believe I am better then your poor french-Canadian soul. Because it doesnt sound at all like I am saying that we are no better or no worse. We are the same.

And Toronto hate? Solid arguement there too. You are bringing out the big guns now. Might as well just show us your tits. That is how credible you sound. No where in English speaking Canada are french businesses persecuted because of their use of french. Do many predominently speak french while doing business? No. Want to know why?

Its bad fucking business. Just like your assertation that the french language in the 60s and 70s was being phased out and you were being assimilated. The majority of the country speaks English. Refusing to speak the language that the majority of the country uses is bad business. Would you go to Japan and refuse to speak Japanese? Or would you learn the language to the best of your ability in order to ease the transition?

Je me souviens/ Que né sous le lys/ Je croîs sous la rose. That is the full quote.


As you said, know your history. And think before you post.