Chez Geeks fights law banning English board games in Quebec

A board game cafe in Montreal, Chez Geeks, received their third complaint last week from the Office Quebecoise de la Langue Française (OQLF) about selling English board games.

The OQLF is targeting a recent English-only ad for a new board game release at the store. They told shop owner, Giancarlo Caltabiano, that in order to sell the English version of the game he needs a French one.

This is completely outrageous and I am surprised such a stupid convention is being pushed on such an innocent media. Board games are for family and friend enjoyment. Who cares if a  board game in Canada doesn’t have a French version, apparently the OQLF does to the point that it is hindering business opportunities in Quebec. 

Chez Geeks posted a petition on their facebook page today to get support to keep the cafe open and stop the law from banning English board games.

“We got into this business because of the passion of it, but if the monetary constraints and, worse, laws that force me to pay and give less service to my geek community are in place, I’d rather not do it in a province where they consider my income taxes akin to a criminal’s,” Caltabiano told TGN in an interview a few days ago.

Despite carrying the French equivalents of other board games in his store, there are still popular games that don’t have a French translation yet. I find this law very constricting for the government. It is sad to see such a innocent, community-building site like Chez Geeks get hounded on by the government. 

“Article 54 would, in fact, inadvertently close my store down, and Quebecers would STILL get the English only games online, effectively giving our money to another province or country. So, in my views, Article 54 (along with many others like it prohibiting English only ads of English only board games) not only DOESN’T protect Quebecers, it’s downright detrimental to them,” Caltabiano said.

The OQLF’s goal is to keep Québec’s French heritage alive. Bill 101 or Charter was created to ‘protect’ the French language and its populace- called Francophones.

According to its Article 54, English only board games that do not have a French equivalent “that require non-french vocabulary for their operation are prohibited in the Quebec market.”

“Plus, they’ve targeted me for having an English only website, and have targeted me with a bold face lie: that I only serve my customers in English. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As a side note, video games do not have this law and are classed under article 52,” said Caltabiano.

Board game cafes although growing around the world should not be restricted by such stupid laws. Something like this could hurt Montreal more than it knows. The rise of the geek is not something to take lightly. 

“Chez Geeks has created and perfected an all-important safe haven for those often misunderstood folks with geeky hobbies, allowing them to be themselves and enjoy their games in a social and friendly atmosphere,” said a recent review. 

More safe places for board games like Chez Geek should be available around Canada. I think this is an unfortunate series of events and I fully support their cause.  

Sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shut-down-the-oqlf-for-good-join-our-fight

Read more:

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/game-store-owner-hounded-by-language-inspectors-1.2235064

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/chez-geeks-board-game-store-gets-oqlf-complaint-1.2957916

http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2015/02/12/the-oqlfs-latest-target-english-board-games

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/interview-with-chez-geeks-co-owner-giancarlo-caltabiano-target-of-oqlf/

http://www.dicetowernews.com/tgn-interview-chez-geeks-co-owner-giancarlo-caltabiano/13553

http://blog.navut.com/montreal-geek-culture-highlight-chez-geeks/

February 20, 2015