Undercover inspectors are set to conduct French-language checks in thousands of Quebec stores, sparking discussions about language policies and customer experiences. The Quebec language watchdog, Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), is conducting this operation in key areas, with approximately half the visits taking place in Montreal. The study aims to evaluate the availability of French in businesses and will involve observers entering stores incognito to record the language of greeting and service. The OQLF's spokesperson, François Laberge, emphasizes that the study is not intended to penalize businesses and that they will not be identified in the report. This initiative follows similar research conducted in 2010, 2017, and 2023, revealing a decline in French-only greetings. The 2023 survey found that the French-only greeting rate dropped from 84% in 2010 to 71% on the island of Montreal, while the rate of English greetings increased by five percentage points during the same period. The research territory includes Montreal, divided into five zones, as well as parts of the South Shore, Quebec City, Gatineau, Laval, and Sherbrooke. Quebec merchants face unique challenges, with regulations that are often unparalleled in the world, according to Michel Rochette, Quebec president of the Retail Council of Canada. The Legault government's language reform, known as Bill 96, has been a significant factor in adapting to these regulations. However, the deadline to conform to the law has been a challenge, as the full extent of the regulations wasn't revealed until two years after the bill's adoption in 2022. Business owners aim to create a welcoming environment, as highlighted by Toby Lyle, co-owner of Burgundy Lion Group, who emphasizes the importance of making customers feel comfortable. The study's findings will contribute to the 2029 report to the minister of the French language, further shaping Quebec's linguistic landscape.
