Canadian hospital bans English language signs

GASPE, Quebec, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- English-speaking patients may have a hard time navigating a Canadian hospital after the facility was ordered to remove some of its English language signs.

Quebec's French Language Office ordered the health center in Gaspé to remove any English signs giving directions within the hospital, saying the signs were in violation of a regional law regarding bilingualism.

The law, designed to promote French over other languages, only allows English signage for health and safety information or in areas where the English-speaking population is at least 50 percent.

"When this is not the case, they're not recognized and have to go according to law," Jean-Pierre Leblanc, a spokesman for the language office told CBC News.

While CBC reports that only 14 percent of the hospital's population speaks English, a large portion of this group are senior citizens who may become lost or confused due to the lack of English signage.

Geneviève Cloutier, a hospital spokeswoman, insists that they will continue to accommodate such guests.

"This doesn't mean that people will stop receiving services in English. The color code we have will remain in place," she told CBC.

Bilingual staff are identified by yellow badges, and the hospital promises to provide English-speaking staff at the main desk to guide guests throughout the facility.