Retail group urges Quebec to review French language rules after report

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“When thinking about measures that will have a significant impact on the economy and people's daily lives, we want the government to at least rely on real data, which is the reality on the ground, not perception,” said Michel Rochette, president of the council. Quebec branch, announced Wednesday.

Among other findings, a recent OQLF survey shows that the proportion of people using only French in Quebec's public spaces has remained stable at 79 percent, and that the use of French in Montreal is 11 points below the provincial average.

The council also found in the OQLF report that the use of French in Quebec's commercial sector remains stable at 85 percent, while its use in the workplace and in public spaces continues to grow.

“We know that there is always a risk and that the French language must always be preserved. We understand that and we always agree with that,” Rochette said. “The question is, where are the measures needed, and are they sometimes going too far?”

The council represents approximately 17,000 retailers in Quebec. One of his main concerns is Quebec regulations that require more French labels on consumer products.

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According to the current law, permanent signs such as engraved, embossed or welded signs are allowed to be in a language other than French, unless they relate to the safety of the product.

But draft regulations published in January will end that exception and require French symbols if they are “necessary for the use of the product”. At least one appliance manufacturers association said about 90 percent of appliance models on the Quebec market do not comply with the new rules.

Using the example of on and off labels on appliances such as washers and dryers, Rochette questioned whether the changes would really have the desired effect of protecting the language.

“Is this really necessary?” he asked, again stressing that the OQLF figures show that the government-cited recession is not as severe as is often claimed.

“Sometimes discourse can lead to action, but imprecise conclusions rarely lead to good decisions,” he added. “I think we always have to be sure that we have the right findings to measure the magnitude of the measures that are being put forward.”

Rochette said his main concerns are with retailers who decide to do business in Quebec and how that affects their bottom line.

For example, if they can no longer sell a certain home appliance, he questioned whether consumers will look online for alternatives to businesses that cannot meet the new requirements.

“We want to make sure that Quebec merchants don't lose out, Quebec consumers don't lose out,” Rochette said. “It is, after all, the French language does not go overboard with measures that are sometimes not used.”

According to The Canadian Press.

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