STM received six communications from the OQLF regarding the removal of the word "go"
Quebec's Office of the French Language (OQLF) has been in correspondence with the Montreal Transport Society (STM) over six instances regarding complaints about the use of the word "go" on the display panels of buses.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press reveal that the OQLF asked the STM for multiple updates on the process of removing this word from certain messages on buses' front panels. The complaint was initiated in April 2024 over the message "Go! CF Mtl Go!" referring to the Montreal soccer club CF Montreal. The OQLF's investigation into this matter continued for nine months, until the word "go" was removed from over 1000 vehicles.
Following media reports in April, the issue sparked a significant controversy, with Quebec's Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, publicly defending the expression "Go Habs Go." At the time, the OQLF confirmed its communication with the STM regarding the complaint and reminded the transport company of its obligations under the Charter of the French Language. However, it neither provided details on the duration of its examination nor the number of times it requested updates from the transport company.
Internal correspondence obtained under the Access to Documents Act shows that an OQLF employee sent at least six emails to the STM from May 2024 to January 2025, inquiring about the complaint and requesting information on the intended solution. The STM initially contended that encouragement messages allowed bus drivers to greet sporting teams, with the word "go" shortening the message and sparing it from scrolling on the electronic screens of buses. However, it eventually agreed to replace the word "go," stating that the process could take several months.
In January 2025, the transport company reported that the update had been made on 1002 of its 1104 buses, while the remaining 102 were out of service. The OQLF then closed the complaint on the condition that all the remaining buses were updated before returning to service.
It has since been clarified that the OQLF never received a complaint about the expression "Go Habs Go" and had no plans to stop using the word "go" in its encouraging messages towards the Canadiens. The OQLF's spokesperson, Gilles Payer, stated that the corporation was unaware of the issue until it became a public topic in April.
The role of Quebec's Minister of the French Language in handling this complaint remains unclear. While the ministry was informed of the complaint shortly after it was received, no further involvement from the minister has been publicly reported.
The STM is still in discussions with the OQLF to gain clarification on if and when they can use the word "go" in a sports context without facing penalties. No changes will be made before the scheduled bus maintenance in the fall.
In a statement, Thomas Verville, a spokesperson for Minister Roberge, acknowledged that the OQLF has received over 10,000 complaints last year, with the minister not intervening in the handling of these complaints to avoid political interference.
The enforcing body for Quebec's language laws, the OQLF, is committed to ensuring that French is the predominant language used in public signage and communication. With the Charter of the French Language being updated to emphasize the use of French in public services and digital platforms, the OQLF continues to work towards compliance across various sectors in Quebec.
- The controversy over the use of the word "go" on Montreal buses extended into the political realm, with Quebec's Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, publicly defending the expression "Go Habs Go."
- Beyond the specific case of the Montreal Transport Society (STM), the Office of the French Language (OQLF) is dedicated to enforcing the use of French in various sectors, including the general-news and business industries, to ensure that French remains the predominant language in public signage and communication.
- The STM is currently in discussions with the OQLF to gain clarification on the use of the word "go" in a sports context, especially concerning the updating of their display panels, to avoid potential penalties in light of Quebec's language laws and the Charter of the French Language.
