Quebec's language watchdog targets Montreal spice shop's English-only website

The owner of a Los Angeles-based spice shop with a branch in Montreal's Mile-End neighbourhood is protesting an order by the Officequbcoisde lalanguefranaise to translate the company's English-only website into French.

Spice Station owner Peter Bahlawanian, who is originally from Montreal, says the website was built for the store in L.A. and it's meant for his customers in the United States.

OQLFrules, however, stipulate that any enterprise established in Quebec has to comply with the province's language charter, which requires all people have the right to be informed about Quebec businesses in French.

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Bahlawanian said his Mile-End shop abides by the rules in every other way he translated the store's name to French, and all his signs and in-store descriptions for the 450 spices he carries are translated.

"Everything in-shop was done properly," he said.

In June, staff at his Mile-End store received a notice from the OQLF saying its website had to be translated into French.

He said he was given until July 17 to respond to the order, or face penalties if his website isn't translated by then.

Order called 'anti-business'

Bahlawanian, however, haschallengedthe order, which he says is "anti-business."

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He says it could cost as much as $4,000 to make the changes to his website.

"I'm a small business. I can't afford to put $4,000 in a website which I don't even sell in Quebec."

"These decisions should be made by the business owner and shouldn't be imposed on us."

Bahlawanian said if the OQLF provided incentives or financial assistance, he would have no problem complying.

"If you're pushing me to translate it within a period of time, then you're telling me there are consequences.I'm going to stand up for my rights," he said.