A photograph of an English-only commercial sign in Montreal posted on Twitter Monday inspired an old-fashioned Quebec language debate, as many expressed outrage at the language law violation while others mocked those who expressed concern.
En sortant de la radio voici ce que je trouve sur mon chemin une publicité juste en anglais rue Mont-Royal #Francais pic.twitter.com/vfWZoYbTYX
— Sophie Stanké (@SoStanke) December 8, 2014
The passions were raised when radio host and former Parti Quebecois candidate Sophie Stanke posted a photo that she snapped of an electronics store window on Mont Royal Ave. with a poster feature the words I WANT THAT written in large letters in English only, an apparent violation of Quebec's language law Bill 101.
The picture inspired almost 60 comments and 68 retweets with people sharply divided in their impressions. Some urged the sign be reported to language authorities
@SoStanke Est-ce qu'il est encore possible d'adresser des plaintes à l'OLF?
— Nicole Bénard (@NicoleBenard) December 8, 2014
Several others, including well-known Montreal English-language media personalities weighed in with irony.
The horror!!! Can u imagine? “@SoStanke: une publicité juste en anglais rue Mont-Royal #Francais pic.twitter.com/mfZukr6tmw”
— schnurmacher (@talkradiotommy) December 9, 2014
@talkradiotommy @SoStanke MY EYES MY EYES AAAAAGH!
— Terry DiMonte (@TerryDiMonte) December 9, 2014
But staunch supporters of the language law saw little mirth in the situation and some even urged a boycott.
@SoStanke @JoseeLegault Tant que le PLQ sera au pouvoir, le droit des francophones sera brimé...Je boycotte donc La Source ..
— Gaby17 (@toshiba777) December 9, 2014
@SoStanke @Voltayr la seule chose a faire; ne jamais mettre le pied dans un de leurs magasins. C'est tout. $ parlent.
— Yves Lavoie (@pompombionique) December 9, 2014
