New rules announced for Quebec commercial signs will mean more French

Swiss Vienna Pastry Shop has been serving the community for over 60 years. Harry Schick has stood as the family's business pillar for over 4 decades. During that time, he says he's always served clients in both French and English. The pastry shop has signs in both languages and an equal size, and Schick says he has no plans to change his commercial landscape anytime soon. To me, an Anglophone customer and a Francophone customer deserve equal respect. There's no way that a francophone is three times more important than an anglophone, so in this store the signs are remaining bilingual and equal size. The Quebec government spelled out new regulations on Wednesday that starting next year, all commercial signs must be predominantly in French. While English names like Home Depot and Dollarama won't be banned, stores will have to add slogans or descriptives in French that take up twice as much space. In a statement to Global News, the French language minister said when Quebecers and tourists walk through the streets, it must be clear that Quebec is a French speaking nation. It's a question of respect. We must also ensure that companies respect consumers rights to be informed and served in French. But for Sheikh, who has received over a dozen warnings in the past from the office, Quebecois de la Lange says he argues the government should find better ways to spend its money. It's not going to improve the situation on the frame, francophone or French language in Quebec. It's not going to help anybody learn the language by changing magazine Canadian Tire. What is it going to do? That's why it's just a waste of time and money. Benjamin Ruse of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses says the new rules mean more paperwork and extra costs for entrepreneurs. As Montreal's mayor said on Wednesday, he also hopes the government will support businesses while they try to adapt. When you think of a business that maybe get $50,000 of salary, if they need to change their public signage that cost 4 or $5000, that has a huge impact at the end of the year on their on their profit margins. The French Language ministry estimates the required changes will cost Quebec businesses between 7:00 to $15 million, though some business owners claim the cost will be much higher. They have until June 1st, 2025 to comply with the new regulations. Felicia Perillo. Global News. Point, Claire.