Maryam Rahimi, owner of the downtown Montreal-based SoLIT Café, faces ongoing compliance requirements from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) regarding the use of English terms in her business materials. Since March 2022, the OQLF has received 22 complaints concerning the café, leading to multiple inspections, mandatory signage changes, and thousands of dollars in legal and redesign costs for the small business owner.
Why is the OQLF investigating the café?
The OQLF states its interventions are the result of 22 complaints received about SoLIT Café since March 2022. According to the agency, it does not initiate a formal “francization” process for the business, but rather responds to individual complaints. The office maintains that its role is to ensure compliance with the Charter of the French Language, noting that nearly 94 per cent of all cases it handles are resolved through collaboration.
Did You Know? The OQLF’s investigations into SoLIT Café have included auditing written materials such as customer receipts, which led to a requirement that the English “Thank you” at the bottom of the slips be replaced with the French equivalent, “merci.”
What are the financial and operational impacts?
Rahimi reports that the compliance process has been both mentally exhausting and financially burdensome. She estimates that she has spent thousands of dollars on legal consultations, printing new menus, and installing new signage to meet the agency’s standards. For a small business with narrow profit margins, she says the time diverted from daily operations to manage these compliance requests hinders her ability to sustain the café.
Expert Insight: The friction between small business owners and language regulators often highlights a tension between administrative compliance and the realities of running a niche, brand-sensitive enterprise. While the OQLF emphasizes its collaborative resolution rate, individual proprietors like Rahimi frequently cite the cumulative cost of iterative changes—such as renaming menu items or adjusting branding—as a significant barrier to long-term business stability.
What may happen next for the business?
Rahimi is currently awaiting the outcome of the latest inspection following the installation of new French signage. Because the OQLF has noted that a single company can be subject to multiple complaint files simultaneously, it is possible that further interventions could occur if new complaints are filed. While some have suggested she relocate, Rahimi has stated she intends to remain in Montreal and continue operating her business.
Frequently Asked Questions
[What is the OQLF’s stated role?]
The OQLF describes its role as helping businesses comply with Quebec’s language laws and protecting the right of residents to live, work, and receive services in French.
[How many complaints has the café received?]
The OQLF reports that it has received 22 complaints concerning SoLIT Café since March 2022.
[Is the café undergoing a formal francization process?]
No. The OQLF stated that SoLIT Café is not undergoing a francization process; rather, the interventions are based on complaints received.
Do you believe current language regulations provide enough clarity for small business owners to operate without fear of recurring audits?
