(Ottawa) Law 96 on the French language has been talked about even in the corridors of power in Washington. The Biden administration believes that some of its measures erect barriers to trade between Canada and the United States, citing possible sanctions.
The Quebec law was the subject of discussions during a bilateral meeting attended by the Deputy Minister of International Trade of the Canadian government, Rob Stewart, according to a report which was published on the website of the representative’s office of United States commerce.
Her American counterpart, Cara Morrow, shared the United States’ “concerns” regarding the trademark provisions of Quebec’s Bill 96 and their potential implications for American businesses, including small and medium-sized businesses,” it reads.
And the Biden administration has threatened to hit Canada with sanctions due to the adoption of this law, according to information reported by CBC. The public broadcaster relies on documents obtained under the American Freedom of Information Act.
According to a statement from south of the border, the verdict is not yet in.
“We are continuing our discussions with stakeholders and Canada regarding the Act and its implications,” Catherine White, spokesperson for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, said in an email.
At the office of Quebec Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, press secretary Thomas Verville did not directly comment on American grievances. “We are finalizing the settlement,” he wrote in an email.
Bill 96 includes provisions surrounding commercial signage, trademarks and product labeling, some of which must come into force by regulation within a few weeks.
The United States considers that some of these measures contravene trade treaties between the two countries.