If there's no English or French on your business sign, you might be breaking proposed Aurora bylaw

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 7, 2016
Teresa Latchford

A proposed bylaw would disallow the use of business signs that do not contain English or French.

Aurora Councillor Harold Kim has submitted a proposal for council’s consideration at next week’s meeting, which, if approved, would require business owners within the town’s borders to include one of the two official languages on business signs.

“At first, I didn’t notice there were examples of signs excluding English and French in Aurora,” Kim said. “It wasn’t until residents emailed (council members) with pictures that showed examples that I took notice.”

His notice of motion points out that Canada has two official languages, giving English and French preferred status in law over all other languages, according to the Official Languages Act that came into effect in 1972.

Incorporating text on a sign that does not include English or French could be viewed as exclusionary and not honouring the town’s theme of inclusiveness, he added.

“English and French are part of Canada’s identity,” Kim said. “We need to grab onto something common that brings people together and I believe language does that.”

It is a grey area since federal legislation regarding the use of the two official languages only applies to federal institutions, leaving local municipalities to discuss the matter on an individual basis for their own community.

Kim, who speaks English and Korean, can see both sides of the argument, but still feels this is the right direction for the town, which could find it an issue 20 years down the road.

In 1990, the City of Markham passed a bylaw that requires business signs contain English or French as 50 per cent of the total text displayed. Neighbouring Richmond Hill was experiencing the same issue but did not see the need to impose a bylaw.

“People may feel they are unwanted in a store if they don’t speak the language on the sign, but I don’t think it is any business’ intention to exclude people,” Kim said. “Bottom line is we need to have a conversation.”

He expects council will discuss the matter further at the Sept. 13 council meeting and any comments from the public and business community are welcome. Kim is expecting some push-back from a few businesses, but notes they have the right to comment as well.

“Their comments are just as valid, will be listened to and will be taken into consideration when council makes a decision,” he said.

Kim is requesting that town staff report back by the end of the year on a potential amendment to the current sign bylaw to include a requirement that a sign contain at least 50 per cent of its text in one of the two official languages.