Montreal

Que. government targets stores with English names

The Quebec government is getting ready to launch a campaign this fall against big-box stores and their stubbornly English names.

The Quebec government is getting ready to launch a campaign this fall against big-box stores and their stubbornly English names.

The president of the agency that oversees the province's language laws says the sign issue will be very important in the next few months.

Louise Marchand says big-box stores are coming to Quebec more and more and using their English brand names.

The campaign will come 30 years after English was first forced from English signs in the province.

Although Bill 101 was passed in 1977, companies had until September 1981 to get rid of English on their signs.

Various court challenges followed over the years.

Currently, other languages are allowed on signs provided French is clearly predominant.

Canadian Press