Despite the omnipresence of signs in English in the Latin Quarter, newly designated a “Francophonie district” by the City of Montreal, Mayor Valérie Plante does not intend to intervene, instead relying on inspectors of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
“The City of Montreal does not have the coercive power to go see a business and tell it: ‘Take off your sign,’” she argued at a press briefing on Wednesday. “It is the Office of the French Language which is responsible for enforcing its law on signage. »
However, she believes that this does not detract from the importance of having a “Francophonie district”.
“Reaffirming the French-speaking history of several major institutions in the Latin Quarter is something very positive which says: “We are proud in Montreal to speak French”. Yes, there are challenges, but they are challenges specific to a metropolis,” said Mayor Plante.