At the beginning of the week, we learned that manufacturers of household appliances were threatening to no longer offer their goods on Quebec soil because of the obligation to put terms like “warming zone»“start» And “high/low» on their devices.
This new requirement went somewhat unnoticed when the CAQ government presented its reform of Law 101. A constraint that manufacturers will have to meet by the 1er June 2025.
Let’s hope that the government will change its mind by then, because this is completely ridiculous. This measure will in no way slow the decline of French and will not help non-French speakers learn the language of Molière.
- Listen to the political meeting with Yasmine Abdelfadel and Marc-André Leclerc via QUB :
Decline of French
Yes, there is a decline in French in Quebec. Yes, we must put measures in place to protect our language, especially in the greater Montreal region.
But attacking our oven, our washer and our dryer is clearly misplaced ideology. In Quebec, everyone understands what the famous On/Off on our devices.
Moreover, no one became anglicized after putting their pizza on broil. So why waste your time and ask for a requirement that is not demanded by Quebec consumers?
Also, who will have to foot the bill for the changes requested from manufacturers?
Unfortunately, it will be us, the poor consumers, who will probably have to pay $100 or $200 more per appliance to have the pleasure of putting our load of white on the delicate cycle instead of delicate.
Photo Agence QMI, René Baillargeon
Other issues
Writing in English on our household appliances has never been a problem in Quebec. However, there are many issues at present; our government has no time to be idle.
It is high time that the CAQ government took care of real business and the latest budget shows us that the task will be colossal.