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Quebec French Language Sign Laws Will Now Apply To Major Brand Names, Too

"We are in Quebec, not Maine or Massachusetts."

The days of major brands skirting around Quebec's French language laws are coming to an end.

Provincial Language Minister Hélène David has announced that the government is bringing in rules that would make major brands such as Best Buy and Walmart include French signage in a way they haven't had to up until now.

They're meant to preserve Quebec's francophone identity, the minister said in a statement Tuesday.

"With these proposed rules, every person — whether they're on a highway, a sidewalk, in an industrial area or in a parking lot — will remember that they're in Quebec when they see signs in French," David said.

"We are in Quebec, not Maine or Massachusetts," the minister said, according to Reuters.

Until now, businesses with trademarked brand names in English such as Best Buy didn't have to use French signage due to a loophole in Bill 101, Quebec's French language law, The National Post reported.

Ergo, it was fine for a Costco or a Walmart to display their signs as they would anywhere else in the world.

But that won't be possible once the new rules come into effect, as expected, later this year.

French signs can be as simple as a few extra words near the main English phrase. The francophone signs would also have to be lit up at night if the English ones are.

For example, the sign on the left would not be permitted under the new rules, while the sign on the right would be allowed.

Business owners are expected to have to pay anywhere between $5,000 and $9,000 to make the changes, but they'll also have three years to do it, CTV News reported.

There will, however, be exceptions. Any businesses with family names, such as Tim Hortons or McDonald's, will not have to change their signs.

The Quebec government will hold a consultation for 45 days ahead of implementing the changes.

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