Inside SoLIT Café in downtown Montreal, owner Maryam Rahimi juggles multiple roles but finds herself spending significant time addressing compliance requests from Quebec’s language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). Since opening the café nearly five years ago, Rahimi has faced numerous challenges, primarily related to the café’s language use in signage and materials. The OQLF has scrutinized her café, citing issues such as the use of English words on receipts and menu items, resulting in costly redesigns and legal consultations that have strained her finances. Rahimi feels overwhelmed by the constant compliance demands, claiming the process feels like harassment. The OQLF states that its interventions are based on complaints it has received, with 22 regarding SoLIT since March 2022.
Why It Matters
Quebec’s language laws, established under the Charter of the French Language, mandate the protection of the French language in business and public life. The OQLF’s role is to ensure compliance and uphold the rights of French-speaking residents. Small businesses, particularly in Montreal—a city with a diverse linguistic landscape—often face challenges navigating these regulations. The ongoing scrutiny of businesses like SoLIT Café highlights the complexities of operating in a bilingual environment and raises questions about the balance between language preservation and the operational viability of small enterprises.
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