A Montreal-area video store owner found out he could be fined up to $1,200 after he handed an English card to a language inspector who visited his store.

Quebec's language law states French must be predominant on commercial signs.

But owner Dave Amsel said he wasn't going to back down.

Language Minister Louise Beaudoin said the government agents were ``nitpicking'' and she says she's asked them not to intervene.

Beaudoin has said that business cards should at least be bilingual.

And while she has nothing against English-only cards, they should only be handed out on request, she says.