'Bill 101 has to be respected,' Legault says of Lachute hospital controversy

Quebec Premier Franois Legaultis dismissing concerns about the removal of English signage from the hospital in Lachute, saying "Bill 101 has to be respected."

"I don't see the importance of having bilingual signs," he told reporters Thursday.

The regional health authority,theCISSS-des-Laurentides, announced last month that it was removing English from hospital signs to be in line with the French language charter.

The process is already underway.

The word "Parking" hasbeen taped over on one sign, whilethe words "Main Entrance" have beenremoved from another.

Under Bill 101,hospitals thatdon't offer services predominantly in English are only allowed to post signs in French.

Nine Lachute-area mayors have opposedthe decision, calling it "deeply disappointing." Anglophone rights groups have also panned the move.

But the premier says the health authority had no choice.

"We have to follow the law, and they weren't respecting the law," Legaultsaid.

"Anglophoneswill keep on having the right to have services in education and health care," he added.

The regional health authority has also reiteratedthat services will still be available in English and that the only thing changing is the signs, which will be in French only from now on.

The province's language watchdog, the Office qubcois de la langue franaise, requested English signs be taken down, the health authority said.