Documents in Quebec History

Last revised:
23 August 2000

Documents on the Controversy Surrounding the Language of Commercial Signs in Quebec (Bill 178) December 1988

Reactions to the December 15, 1988 Supreme Court Decision on Commercial Advertising and the Language of Signs

1. Alliance Quebec:

"We believe that the time has come to find a fair and lasting solution to the question of the language of signs.

"In the space of a single generation, our society has gone from one unacceptable situation to another: from unilingual English signs in a society with a French-speaking majority, to the prohibition of all languages other than French.

"We reject both extremes.

"We believe that all commercial signs should be in French. We do not support those merchants who wish to continue putting up signs in English only. Their attutude undermines the efforts of Quebecers who seek mutual understanding and respect.

"We believe at the same time that merchants should have the right to use other languages on their signs in addition to French.

"The funfamental principle of freedom of expression requires it. So does the reality of Quebec. We are part of that reality.

"This is our home. We share in the history and future of Quebec. For us, prohibiting English is a denial of this fact.

"A solution which assures priority for French without imposing prohibitions on other languages respects the unique character of Quebec.

"We ask you to join with us in urging the government to adopt a just solution.

[this ad was placed by Alliance Quebec in the Montreal Gazette, Wednesday, December 14, 1988, p. A-11; it was paid for by over 300 prominent anglophone signatories whose name appeared with the ad. Note that his ad was placed in anticipation of the decision.]

2. The Parti Québécois:

"The PQ leadership, led by Jacques Parizeau, issued yesterday a pressing call for mobilizing to defeat the decisions of the Supreme Court.

"The PQ wishes to force the Bourassa government to rapidly take the recourse of the notwithstanding clause to protect the integrity of the enactments of Bill 101.

"Convinced that English unilingualism can now be applied in Quebec for signs, Mr. Parizeau declared: ‘the stakes are high: what is at stake is our ability to protect our French personality as a people. We must not yield’. In the Pequiste leader’s mind, governments have all powers to arbitrate situations so that the group will be recognised its reasonable rights; this can be achieved by using the notwithstanding clauses of the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Rights and Freedoms. We are used to say that the legislator did not speak for nothing; so these powers we have in our hands’.

"While the Prime Minister is seeking a solution of compromise to conciliate the fundamental values of freedom of expression and the development of French culture, Mr. Parizeau affirmed that the reasonable right of Quebecers is to have Bill 101 respected fully.

"Mr. Parizeau calls on the population to express its support for the existing Bill 101 by participating in a mass rally to be held in Montreal, at Centre Paul-Sauvé, Sunday at 2h.00, and organized by the Mouvement Quebec Français.

[...]

"Mr. Parizeau is convinced that there will be a rapid mobilisation of Quebecers as already yesterday there were numerous reactions. ‘This is an area where opinions are very sensitive’ he said.

"The application of Bill 101 is not finished. One cannot say that its role is over and done with and that we do not need its provisions any more. There is much work that remains to be done before the Bill creates a society of French language and culture he concluded".

[Report by André PEPIN, La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B1]

3. The Liberal Party:

[The headline of a report in La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B1 stipulated: Confrontation seems inevitable within the caucus of the Liberals. Many francophone members would be favorable to the use of the notwithstanding clause; there is much celebration among anglophone members]

4. Newspaper Headlines:

"French will never be safe in Canada nationalists charge at Bill 101 rally", Montreal Gazette, December 19, 1988, p. B 1

" Decision could lead to anglophone exodus: Orr", Montreal Gazette, December 19, 1988, p. B 1

"Manitoba politicians rip decision", Montreal Gazette, December 19, 1988, p. B 1

Don MacPherson "Bourassa blunders on issue of signs", Montreal Gazette, December 19, 1988, p. B 3

William Johnson, "Anglo Quebec must now start all over again", Montreal Gazette, December 19, 1988, p. B 3

Lynn Moore, "The safe solution: Going signless", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Terrance Wills "Compromise is needed lawyers say", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Irwin Block, "Thank God, it’s over, says ex-owner of wool shop", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Irwin Block, "Singer vows to fight for English signs", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Peggy Curran, "Alliance [Quebec] urges Quebec to allow bilingual signs", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

"For political leaders [elsewhere in Canada] the word is caution", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Don MacPherson, "Bourassa has moral duty to heed judgment. Anglophones played by rules throughout even when Quebec’s premier chose not to", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 3

William Johnson, "Stay of execution for English Quebec may be brief", Montreal Gazette, December 16, 1988, p. B 3

Bernard Descôteaux, "Bourassa has made his nest. Dion solution and notwithstanding", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, pp. A1, 10

Michel Vastel, "The anglophones of the Liberal Party of Quebec feel that they are being pushed out", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, pp. A1, 10

Isabelle Paré, "Jean Doré: the notwithstanding clause if we must. Quebec must do everything to protect the French face of Montreal", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, pp. A1, 10

Bernard Descôteaux, "According to Jacques Rochefort, the defense of Quebec was incomplete", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, p. A2

Guy Taillefer, "The Conservative Mps of Quebec are divided on the dilemma of language", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, p. A2

"L’Allier is fovorable to the use of the notwithstanding clause", Le Devoir, December 17, 1988, p. A2

Paul Roy, "Santa changes his mind: No to bilingualism", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 1

Marie Claude Lortie, "Reactions of anglophone montrealers: between joy and exasperation", La Presse, December 16, B 4

Mario Fontaine, "Prudent, English Canada awaits the reaction of Bourassa. However, Mrs Carstairs believes that Bourassa must respect the linguistic rights of the minority", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B4

Gilles Paquin, "Francophones from outside Quebec wish for the maintenance of a French face", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 4

Gilbert Lavoie, "Alliance Quebec: relieved but worried", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 5

Roch Côté, "In the West Island: business as usual but...", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 5

Gilbert Lavoie, "Morton Brownstein would not fight this battle again", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 5

Gilles Gauthier, "Disappointed by his ‘defeat", Singer wishes to take the case to a higher authority", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 5

Paul Durivage, "According to the business group [Conseil du patronat], Quebec should abide by the judgment" La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Johanne Lenneville, "With the students, the debate ended at Ville St. Laurent", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

Jean Paul Soulié, " Most of the signs have already been changed", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

"Morin and Laurin: Bourassa has no choice. According to Léon Dion, the Meech Lake Accord is endangered", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 6

André Noël, "Artists are unanimous in denouncing the judgment", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 7

André Noël, "The labor leaders demand that the notwithstanding clause be used", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 7

Gilles Gauthier, "[David] Berger: the Court has indicated the just middle road", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 7

"Acadians see positive aspects", La Presse, December 16, 1988, p. B 7

Michel Vastel, "Manitoba withdraws its support of the Meech Lake Accord. Federal parties condemn the use of the notwithstanding clause", Le Devoir, December 20, 1988, pp. 1, 8

Bernard Descôteaux, "Bourassa finds English Canada nervous", Le Devoir, December 20, 1988, pp. 1, 8

© 1999 Claude Bélanger, Marianopolis College