All Québec companies to be targeted by proposed amendments to French signage regulations

The Québec Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Hélène David, has announced that the Québec government will be publishing its proposed amendments to the French language regulations tomorrow, May 4, 2016. The proposed amendments are intended to ensure the visibility of the French language and promote Québec's French culture throughout the province by obliging all companies in Québec (hotels, restaurants, retailers, boutiques, etc.) to add a French generic term, descriptive, slogan or information about the company's products and services to their non-French outdoor signage.

The French addition must appear within the same field of vision as the non-French trademark, be permanent and illuminated if the non-French sign is illuminated.

According to Minister David, the proposed amendments will offer various avenues for compliance. Companies will also be afforded a reasonable amount of time to make the necessary changes to their outdoor signage.

The Minister has indicated that the proposed amendments are the result of consultations, including consultations with businesses operating in Québec. A 45-day public consultation period will be held following tomorrow's publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

A full summary of the proposed amendments will follow.