The OQLF\u2019s latest figures cover April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with complaints alleging violations of the Charter of the French Language, commonly known as Bill 101.<\/p>\n
The statistics show that fewer Quebecers contacted the OQLF about commercial signs.<\/p>\n
Sixteen per cent of the complaints were sign-related, down from 18 per cent in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
However, signage continues to be a flashpoint.<\/p>\n
Last week, the OQLF sparked an uproar by telling Arthurs Nosh Bar, a St-Henri restaurant, to change its signage after receiving a complaint about its use of the Yiddish word \u201cnosh.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n The language watchdog has said the restaurant\u2019s current signage does not comply with a Quebec language law that stipulates that the French language must \u201cclearly predominate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n This week, Premier Christine Fr\u00e9chette said she is exaspe<\/a>r<\/a>ated by language controversies<\/a>, suggesting \u201cmaybe we can improve the tone used by the OQLF.\u201d Liberal Leader Charles Milliard also called for a \u201cchange of tone\u201d<\/a> by the OQLF.<\/p>\n Some complaint categories saw big jumps.<\/p>\n There were more reports filed about a lack of French in printed and online commercial material.<\/p>\n Thirty-three per cent of complaints were about documentation, up from 24 per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n The same trend showed up online: 28 per cent of complaints were about websites and social media, up from 19 per cent.<\/p>\n A majority of the complaints \u2014 51 per cent \u2014 targeted businesses on Montreal Island, home to Quebec\u2019s largest concentration of English-speakers and immigrants.<\/p>\n The other top sources of complaints were in the Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie (10 per cent) and Laval and Quebec City (six per cent).<\/p>\n Of the complaints filed during the latest period, 34 per cent led to the situation being corrected, while in 21 per cent of cases, the OQLF offered proactive guidance to the businesses in question.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another 24 per cent of complaints were deemed unfounded or inadmissible.<\/p>\n The state of the French language is expected to be a key campaign issue in the Oct. 5 Quebec election<\/a>.<\/p>\n Polls have found that francophone Quebecers are concerned about the future of French.<\/p>\n In a L\u00e9ger survey published this week, 39 per cent of respondents said they wanted Quebec to reinforce language laws. Another 35 per cent wanted them maintained, and 21 per cent wanted them softened.<\/p>\n During the CAQ\u2019s first full year in office, there were 3,665 complaints.<\/p>\n Under former premier Fran\u00e7ois Legault, the province toughened the charter, encouraged Quebecers to file language complaints and allowed people to file them anonymously<\/a>.<\/p>\n The government also more than doubled the OQLF\u2019s annual budget to $49 million.<\/p>\n That has allowed the watchdog to handle the increase in complaints, conduct more inspections, and complete more undercover operations<\/a> to check the language businesses use to greet and serve customers.<\/p>\n In the 2025 calendar year, Quebec courts have imposed $11,200 in fines on six businesses found guilty of language law violations, the OQLF says.<\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n
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