DELI 365

Quebec French Language Watchdog Makes First Announcement of Restaurant Fine Since Budget Boost | Eater Montreal

"On Bernard Street, I reported that the kosher deli was hit with a $1,500 fine from Quebec’s language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française, for displaying English-only exterior signage; the OQLF deemed this a violation of article 58 of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101), which requires business facade signs to feature French more prominently. The agency said it had tried to contact the restaurant for as long as two years before the infraction was documented on May 22, 2019, and the restaurant was later found guilty on June 25, 2020, with the announcement made on October 15, 2020. The case prompted criticism from Montrealers who argued that fining struggling restaurants during the pandemic was harmful, and Eater reached out to Deli 365 for comment." - Valerie Silva