While the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) confirms the opening of an investigation, the Quebec government strongly condemns RONA management's apparent blatant lack of respect for Quebecers.
“It is an unfortunate situation,” reacted French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge. This is even more true “since there used to be software in French,” he continued.
On Saturday, Le Journal revealed that the owner of hardware stores RONA, Réno-Dépôt and Lowe's in Canada had recently mandated the use of a digital platform called CommerceHub, which is only available in English or Spanish.
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The OQLF is investigating
All suppliers, manufacturers or manufacturers who want to sell their products on the shelves of these stores will have to use this new platform instead of another (Syndigo), although it is offered in the country's two official languages.
RONA President and CEO Andrew Iacobucci – in office since June – refused to grant us an interview. Through its communications department, the company subsequently claimed that it was not obliged to offer “software in French of which there is no version.”
Rona President and CEO Andrew Iacobucci declined our interview request. Photo RONA
Asked about this issue, the management of the OQLF on Monday could not decide on the legality of the actions taken by RONA in this matter. Meanwhile, its spokeswoman Chantal Bouchard says the office is “carrying out checks with RONA to determine the status of the situation and whether the company is complying with the charter.”
A question of respect
Whether or not there is a provision of the Charter that would allow RONA, exceptionally, to impose software in a language other than French on its partners in Quebec, the Minister of French Language makes this a matter of respect.
“In any case,” said Minister Jean-François Roberge, “it is a question of respect for Quebecers and their right to be able to work and do business in French.” We are confident that with all existing translation systems, it is possible to offer RONA employees and suppliers an alternative in French.”
Archive photo / QMI Agency
Recall that at the end of 2022, RONA was purchased by the New York investment company Sycamore Partners for $400 million. It was just a fraction of the $2.3 billion that Lowe's paid six years earlier with support from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Coincidence, says RONA
However, it turns out that Sycamore Partners is also a shareholder in CommerceHub (renamed Rithum in December), the platform recently imposed on the fifty Quebec suppliers of products and materials sold under the various RONA brands.
Sycamore and Rithum did not respond to our questions. However, via email, RONA management claimed that its decision to implement CommerceHub in its systems preceded the sale of the company to the American investment fund Sycamore Partners.
While waiting for more clarity on the matter, the OQLF recalls that “the Charter of the French Language provides that the websites of companies carrying out commercial activities in Quebec and the information contained therein must be available in French”.
Should RONA require corrections following an investigation, the OQLF assures that it will “assist RONA in complying with its obligations.”
Rona Inc., coming soon
-Foundation: 1939
-Headquarters: Boucherville, Quebec
-Owner: Sycamore Partners, New York
-Five brands: RONA, Rona+, Réno Dépôt, Dick's Lumber, Lowe's
-Stores: 425 in Canada
-Employees: 22,000 employees
Source: Rona Inc.
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