In 1941, the federal government ordered a national census. Alexandre, his wife Mary, and their four children could not find bilingual forms in time to fill in the census. The federal government fined the Lavoies $7,700, which is the equivalent of $100,000 today, for late filing. He was appalled by the lack of consideration and challenged the fines in court. After a second appeal, with Lionel Tellier as his lawyer, the judge acquitted the Lavoie family and federal census forms have since become bilingual.