Major retailers now required to have French on all outdoor signage

Changes to Quebec’s outdoor signs that were announced in November of 2016 have gone into effect.

As of this past Sunday, major retailers can no longer show outdoor signs exclusively in English. The new law requires companies with English trademark names to include a French descriptor on its storefronts.

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In 2016, amendments to the law required Quebec businesses to add French to their outdoor signs while registered trademark names, like Costco and BestBuy, had three years to adopt the changes.

Under the new rules, trademark names that are not French are required to add a French word, descriptor, or slogan.

Offices Québécois de la langue Français

Retailers that fail to comply with the new rules could face fines up to $20,000.