Facebook page complaint in Quebec over language settled

A Chelsea, Que., store owner says the province's French-language office has "softened" its position over herEnglish Facebook page.

• Store owner ordered to change Facebook page to French
• Facebook exempt from Quebec's language law, lawyer says

In February, Eva Cooper received a letter from the Office qubcois de la langue franaise (OQLF) with orders to translate thepage for her women's clothing boutique Delilah in theParcto French by Marchor face legal consequences.

Cooper told CBC on Monday thatshe came to an agreementwith the director of theoffice toincorporateFrench into her posts.

"The position has softened," she said. "The conversation wasconciliatory, there's no doubt about that."

A spokesperson for the OQLF told CBC that Facebook posts that advertise the business must include French, but that Cooper can continue to post in English if the conversation is of a social nature.

Cooper said she has requested that the office send her permission in writing to post bilingually.

Cooper's store has bilingual signs, and she offerscustomer service in French and English, but her Facebook page wasin English.

She received a letter from the language office after acustomercomplained that her page did not meet the requirements of Bill 101, the main legislation in Quebecs language policy.Cooper argued that theFrench language legislation did not applyto social media.