A Quebec cosmetics company that markets itself with Parisian branding has been fined $3,000 after issuing invoices only in English, Quebec’s language watchdog announced on Friday.
The Office québécois de la langue française said it received two complaints about English-only invoices issued at a Carrefour Laval store operated by 12912490 Canada Corporation, which goes by the name Prédiré Paris. The agency documented the infractions in October 2024.
Invoices and receipts must be written in French under the French Charter. Documents may also be provided in another language, but a French version must be made available under conditions that are at least as favourable.
After the company failed to comply, the Court of Quebec found it guilty in May of violating Quebec’s French Charter, imposing the $3,000 fine.
The conviction was issued under Section 205 of the charter, which makes it an offence to contravene an order issued by the OQLF.
Prédiré Paris says on its website it operates seven stores, including locations at Carrefour Laval, Mail Champlain in Brossard and Carrefour Angrignon in Montreal’s LaSalle borough, as well as two in Ontario. It says it was founded in 2021.
The Gazette reached the company for comment, but did not receive a response before publication.
This year, the watchdog said it saw a seven per cent increase in language complaints, receiving 11,125 complaints.
The language of service accounted for 35 per cent of complaints received by the agency, while commercial documentation, like invoices and receipts, represented one-third.
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I’ve been writing for the Montreal Gazette since 2023. My favourite stories are ones that make you think and I’m always looking for new ways to tell them. At McGill, I studied economics and computer science. Now I live in the city’s Plateau, where I wear Doc Martens to try and blend in among the hipsters. Got a story? Email me.
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