Bill 101 changes force French descriptors on corporate signage

SAINT-LEONARD – Significant changes are coming to Bill 101 for the first time in 23 years, according to Quebec’s minister of culture and communications.

READ MORE: Companies need to respect Bill 101, says Couillard

French-language descriptions, a sign of much debate in the province, will now have to accompany corporate trademarks.

That means a company with an English name will have to include a French line, in a conspicuous place, explaining what the business is.

READ MORE: PQ pushing Liberals to reopen Bill 101, insists on French descriptors for English stores

For example, “Supercentre Walmart” works because the words are comprehensible in French.

READ MORE: Fact file: What is Bill 101?

Walmart was one of the corporations consulted when the provincial government developed the changes.

“We’re more interested in signage that could help the English speaking community, like in hospitals,” said Sylvia Martin Laforge, director of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN).

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're more interested in signage that could help the English speaking community, like in hospitals," said Sylvia Martin Laforge, director of the <a href="http://globalnews.ca/tag/qcgn/" target="_blank">Quebec Community Groups Network</a> (QCGN).

The regulations are still going to be tweaked over the next 45 days before going into full effect.

Businesses will have three years to comply.