Couillard compare the “Hello/Hi” to the Pastagate

Photo Simon Clark
Philippe Couillard regrets the negative impact on the image of Québec abroad, following the adoption of a motion that asked the traders to abandon the formula “Hello/Hi”, not quite French, to welcome their customers.

Charles Lecavalier

Thursday, 7 December 2017 11:03

UPDATE
Thursday, 7 December 2017 11:06

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Philippe Couillard regrets the negative impact on the image of Québec abroad, following the adoption of a motion that asked the traders to abandon the formula “Hello/Hi”, not quite French, to welcome their customers.

The prime minister spoke in English during the question period to try to limit the damage with the anglophone community, which reacted strongly to this motion carried with the unanimous support of the members of the QLP, including Mr. Couillard.

Mr. Couillard has stated that English is not a foreign language in Quebec. He then said that the debate on the “Hello/Hi” ridicules the Quebec on the international scene. Mr. Couillard is now a parallel with the Pastagate, name informal a case which was the revel of the press after an inspector from the Office québécois of the French language was given a ticket to an Italian restaurant because he used words like “pasta” in its menu.

It is the minister of Culture, Marie Montpetit, who set fire to the powder last week during an interview on TVA, in which she indicated that the use of this formula was an “irritant”.

The PQ then took the ball to the leap and proposed the adoption of a motion “that[Quebec’s national Assembly] invites all merchants and all the employees who are in contact with local and international clientele and to welcome them warmly with the word” hello”. She has received the support of all parties, including the LIBERALS.