Politech: FC: Quebec fines maple syrup web site for no French translations

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Background on Quebec's language laws:
http://frenchcaculture.about.com/aboutcanada/frenchcaculture/cs/languagelaws/

Commission de protection de la langue francaise:
http://www.cplf.gouv.qc.ca/

Complaint form you can use to get someone in trouble:
http://www.synapse.net/%7Eimperatif/verification.html

-Declan

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http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/05/21/internet010521

   
   Quebec's language laws stretch into cyberspace
   WebPosted Tue May 22 00:57:07 2001 
   
   MONTREAL - A couple selling maple syrup over the Internet has been
   fined for operating an English-only Web site in Quebec.
   
   Muriel and Stanley Reid were cited for violating Quebec's language
   law, Bill 101. They plan to challenge the fine in court.
   
   The Reids and at least 10 people in the province have been fined under
   the French Language Charter while doing business in cyberspace.
   
   The law allows retailers to display English words. But there must be a
   French translation, seen as markedly predominant.
   
   The Reids say they're selling to customers outside Quebec who only
   speak English.

   [...]



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