Quebec's language enforcers inform Burgundy Lion pub that their sign is law-breaking
In the heart of Montreal, the Burgundy Lion pub, a significant establishment with nearly two decades of history, has found itself at the centre of a linguistic debate. The pub, nestled in the neighbourhood that bears its name, has been a cornerstone of the Montreal International Jazz Fest, being the historical home of jazz greats Oliver Jones and Oscar Peterson.
Recently, the pub's co-owner, Toby Lyle, received a heads-up from the Office Quebecois de la langue francais (OQLF) regarding the sign not being French enough. This isn't the first time the pub has faced issues with the OQLF. Previously, an English-only Trip Advisor recommendation sign caused contention.
The OQLF initially ordered the pub to add French language elements to its sign, citing that "Burgundy" was not a French word and thus the sign did not sufficiently emphasize French, as required by new Quebec language laws effective June 2025. However, after significant public attention and Toby Lyle challenging the order—arguing that "Burgundy" is a place name and that "Pub" and "Lion" are French words—the OQLF retracted its demand.
The enforcement under the new rules requires French to be predominant on business signs, occupying twice the space of other languages. Initially, the OQLF claimed that "Burgundy" was not a French word and requested the pub add French terms or descriptions. Toby Lyle, however, argued the sign was historically rooted in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood and met legal criteria.
Following media coverage and public support, the language office acknowledged the sign's compliance, apologised for the earlier order, and allowed the pub to keep its sign unchanged. Human rights lawyer Julius Grey, who also weighed in on the matter, thought the initial order to remove the Burgundy Lion sign was ridiculous. Grey argued that the OQLF's interpretation of the law was narrow and that a reasonable interpretation would find no fault with the name Burgundy.
Despite the OQLF suggesting corrections to the sign, including adding elements in French, Toby Lyle maintains that the sign conforms to the law. He argues that the area for which the pub is named is of national significance and is known as 'Little Burgundy' by the residents of the neighbourhood, not 'Petit Bourgogne'.
As of now, the OQLF is still analysing the file regarding the Burgundy Lion sign, with no final decision having been made. The pub, a cherished part of Montreal's jazz heritage, continues to operate, its sign standing as a symbol of the ongoing dialogue between language, history, and community.
In Quebec, business signs must be in French, and if there's another language, French must be clearly predominant. While the specific circumstances of the Burgundy Lion case have led to a reversal of the enforcement decision, the debate surrounding language laws in Quebec continues.
- Toby Lyle, the co-owner of the Burgundy Lion pub in Montreal, faced a challenge with the Office Quebecois de la langue francais (OQLF) over the predominance of French on the pub's sign, given that "Burgundy" is not a French word, raising questions about the interpretation of new Quebec language laws effective June 2025.
- Despite the OQLF initially requesting changes to the Burgundy Lion pub sign, due to the non-Frenchness of the word 'Burgundy', human rights lawyer Julius Grey deemed the demand to remove the sign as ridiculous, arguing that a reasonable interpretation of the law would find no fault with the name Burgundy, considering its historical roots and significance in the Little Burgundy neighborhood.
