U.S. government officials have privately considered imposing trade sanctions on Canada due to Quebec’s controversial Bill 96 language law, as revealed by documents obtained by CBC News.
Documents accessed through the U.S. Freedom of Information Act indicate that American officials are concerned that Bill 96 could reduce the volume of American products shipped to Canada, affecting not only Quebec but the entire country. The discussions, involving the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), have explored whether the law’s provisions on commercial signs, trademarks, and product labels violate trade agreements between the U.S. and Canada.
The internal deliberations focused on whether Bill 96 constitutes a technical barrier to trade, breaches trade-related intellectual property rights, or violates Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, potentially justifying trade sanctions. However, the documents, which span from November 2022 to late January 2024, do not disclose if a final decision on sanctions has been made.
USTR deputy press secretary Catherine White referred to a readout of a January meeting between Canadian and American trade officials, highlighting U.S. concerns about Bill 96. Jean-Pierre Godbout, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, acknowledged these concerns, noting that the Canadian government has communicated them to the Government of Quebec and is monitoring the situation closely.
Bill 96, which strengthens Quebec’s language laws, received final assent on June 1, 2022, with draft regulations published on January 10, 2024. The final regulations are expected soon, and key provisions, including those affecting trademarks, will take effect in June 2025.
American officials raised the issue of Bill 96 during a January 24 meeting between USTR senior adviser Cara Morrow and Canadian Deputy Minister for International Trade Rob Stewart. The ongoing dialogue suggests that both governments are keenly aware of the potential trade implications of the new language law.