[3] The appeal, launched by the government of Quebec, consolidated many cases initiated by Montreal-area merchants such as Montreal florist Hyman Singer and West Island wool shop owner Valerie Ford.

They had been fined for violation of the Charter of the French Language and decided to fight the case in court with the backing of Alliance Quebec.

In late 1989, shortly after the Supreme Court's decision, Premier of Quebec Robert Bourassa's Liberal Party of Quebec government passed Bill 178, making minor amendments to the Charter of the French Language.

Tension over this issue was a contributing factor to the failure of the Meech Lake Accord, among other political repercussions.

In 1993, the Charter of the French Language was amended in the manner suggested by the Supreme Court of Canada.