Western Quebec auto shop receives warning from language watchdog for English-only Facebook posts

A business in Shawville is calling into questions some of Quebec’s French language laws, after threats of hefty fines for English only Facebook posts.

The owners of an auto shop in a small Quebec town near Shawville say Quebec’s language laws need repair after receiving a warning by the province’s language watchdog about their English-only Facebook posts.

Customer Jacques Piche says a proper repair and friendly service are why he chooses Jer’s Auto Service.

“Excellent people. I wouldn’t go anyplace else,” Piche said.

The shop is in the small town of Ladysmith, Que., about 90 minutes west of Ottawa.

Owners Jeremy Williams and Erin Davis say they’re approaching their ninth year in business and welcome everyone.

“It’s a fully bilingual service. You’re coming in to explain issues with your car — and if you can’t explain yourself in your language of choice, it makes it hard, right?” Davis said.

In Quebec, businesses must use French-language signage — even online. But the couple’s Facebook posts are in English, and someone complained.

“We received a letter giving us a warning from the Quebec government that if we don’t start writing bilingual posts, we risk getting a fine,” Davis said.

Fines can be up to $20,000.

“As far as I’m concerned, we haven’t done anything wrong,” Williams said.

“We do the best we can to accommodate everybody, but it definitely caused a stir and made us realize how many other people have had the same problem.”

While most social media platforms can translate posts with the click of a button, l‘Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) says that’s not enough — and businesses must ensure there is as much accessible French as any other language.

“For Facebook, it should be freedom,” Williams said.

The owners say their posts are meant to be light-hearted.

“We saw a baby stroller on the side of the highway missing a wheel, so we made a post about the importance of returning your wheels when you change your tires,” Davis said.

“Is it disheartening? A little. Is it surprising? Not really.”

In light of the warning, Davis has made some changes to the shop’s roadside billboard.

“I updated it today in light of the current situation,” Davis said. “‘Oui fix cars.’”

Clearly, the couple is trying to drive home their point.

“I’ll probably post something bilingual on our Facebook — but it’ll still be funny. It’ll be satire, like it’s always been,” Davis said.

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