Key moments in the fight over commercial signage in Quebec

The government of Quebec has been trying toget major retailers to add some French to their names to increase the presence of the French language in the province.

On Tuesday, the provinceproposed a modification to the province's sign rulesthat would require Quebec businesses to add French to their outdoor signage, without alteringregistered trademark names.

Under the new rules, businesses withatrademark name thatis not in French wouldbe required to add a French word, description or slogan to their outdoor signage.

Here are the key moments in the five-year fight.

2011

The Officequbcoisde lalanguefranaiselaunched a campaign condemning the use of English-only trademark names by large retailers likeWalmart, Best Buy andCostco. It asked these businesses to add a French description to the brand, threatening sanctions if they failed to comply.

• Quebec's language police crack down on stores

2012

A group of large retailers tookthe Quebec government to court over the OQLF's demands, questioning whether the office had the power ask them to change their trademark names.

• Big retailers taking French sign battle to Quebec court

April 2014

A Quebec Superior Court Judge ruled in favour of the retailers, deciding that businesses that have storefront signs with their trademark name in a language other than French do not contravene the French Language Charter.

• Wal-Mart, Best Buy win court battle against Quebec government

May 2014

The Quebec government appealed the Superior Court ruling.

April 2014

Quebec's Court of Appeal upheldthe Superior Court's decisionand ruled theOQLFcannot force companiesto add a French component to their name.

June 2015

Quebec announced plans to amend the province's language laws to require retailers to add a French description to commercial names in the form of a visible french word, slogan, or explanation of what the company does. Example: adding "cafe" ahead ofStarbucksCoffee. Culture MinisterHlneDavid said the government will offer options that don't require retailers translate or alter their original trademarks.

• Quebec toforce retailers to add French descriptions to names

April 2016

A report by LaPressesaid theCouillardgovernment intends to abandon its plan to require businesses to add French to their English trademark signs. The government did not confirm or deny this. In response, opposition parties urged the government to stick to itsguns.

May 2016

The Quebec government proposed a modification to French Language Charter that would require Quebec businesses who have a trademark name that is not in French will be required to add a French word, description or slogan to their outdoor signage. Trademarks which are propernames, likeMcDonald's or Tim Hortons, are exempt.The goal is to have a "sufficient French presence" at every business in Quebec.