The CBC has obtained correspondence revealing that the United States might impose sanctions if and when Quebec’s language law becomes official, which is expected to be soon.
Sanctions could stop shipments of some U.S products, including foods, to Canada.
Wouldn't it be lovely if that included dairy and poultry products?
According to documents the CBC obtained under Access to Information, officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have debated whether the legislation — which includes provisions that could affect things such as commercial signs, trademarks and labels on products — contravenes trade agreements between Canada and the United States.
U.S. officials have discussed in private whether the restrictions in Bill 96 constitute a technical barrier to trade, a breach of trade-related intellectual property rights or a violation of Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and whether those breaches would justify trade sanctions.
Jean-Pierre Godbout, spokesperson for Global Affairs, said the Canadian government is "closely following developments."
"The Government of Canada is aware of the concerns expressed by various stakeholders regarding Quebec's amendments to the Charter of the French Language as modernized under Bill 96 and accompanying regulations," Godbout wrote in an e-mailed response.
He said Quebec is being kept informed.
