Business owners in a small community South of Ottawa will no longer be forced to make their signs bilingual.
South Stormont Council unanimously passed a by-law Wednesday, allowing local businesses to post signs in whatever language they choose.
Supporters say it's a matter of freedom of expression.
"We are an English speaking area and that's what we want," said David Smith, owner of Grumpy’s Sports Bar. "I don’t believe I'm going to get any busier if I change my sign and it's not going to be free to change them.”
The issue has been a heated debate among residents.
"French language is blowing through the rest of Canada," said one resident.
“I don't think the government should dictate what we put on our signs…personal, private, or business,” said another. “We should have the right to put any language on a sign whether it's Mohawk Chinese English or French.”
"If you are going to provide the public a service you have to consider the French minority.”
Many in the township say the proposal was "history in the making," an example other townships shouldn't be afraid of following.
"It is wrong saying you can't put want you want on the sign,” said Bryan McGillis, South Stormont Mayor. “You own the business. You pay the taxes.”
"I think most people around here realize they live in a bilingual community. As long as they get their service it doesn't really matter what language they are from,” said Edward Hayes who has lived in the area for 20 years.
Language laws have caused a lot of controversy in several communities around the Ottawa region.
Businesses in Russell, La Nation, Clarence/Rockland and Casselman are forced to post all signs in both English and French.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Stefanie Masotti.
