‘Part of our DNA’: Quebec’s French-language Minister says Go Habs Go! expression shouldn’t be questioned after OQLF complaint
Posted April 25, 2025 11:53 am.
Last Updated April 25, 2025 5:54 pm.
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s Minister of the French Language, is setting the record straight: “‘Go Habs Go!’ [is] an expression that is part of our DNA, our identity!”
Roberge said it was important for him to speak out on the topic, in a message posted to social media Friday morning.
It comes after the Montreal Gazette first reported Thursday that the province’s language watchdog told the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) to drop the word ‘Go’ from its electronic bus messages after a complaint was filed with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) last year.
The complaint received was about a message displaying “GO! CF MTL GO!” on a bus’s weather vane.
Roberge described “Go Habs Go” as being “so dear to all Montreal Canadiens fans and all Quebecers,” in his post on X.
Go Habs Go! : une expression qui fait partie de notre ADN, notre identité!
— Jean-F. Roberge (@jfrobergeQc) April 25, 2025
Il est important pour moi de prendre la parole pour remettre les pendules à l’heure concernant l’utilisation de cette expression bien chère à tous les partisans du Canadien de Montréal, ainsi qu’à tous… https://t.co/Q53GuLdOEg
“Go Habs Go” is a popular chant used by fans of the Montreal Canadiens and it can be heard across the city during this playoff season.
The OQLF had said Thursday they contacted the STM to inform them of the complaint and they informed the STM that, “in accordance with the Charter of the French Language, the Authority’s organizations must use the French language in an exemplary fashion, which implies not using English terms in their signage. Indeed, under the Charter, the Administration’s organizations have a duty to set an example.”
The news was met with criticism by Montrealers, language advocates and Quebec’s opposition parties.
Roberge said that because of this controversy, “there are OQLF employees receiving threats. This is completely unacceptable. This must stop.”
He clarified that the OQLF has never advised against the use of “Go Habs Go!” He added that it’s a “unifying expression, rooted in our history, and part of our cultural and historical specificity. It’s been used for decades. It’s a Québécism, and we’re proud of it!”
In a statement of their own Friday, Dominique Malack, the CEO of the OQLF said they “in no way opposed the use of the expression “Go Habs Go,” which is rooted in our history and part of our Quebec identity. I believe it is important to distinguish this from the government’s duty to set an example, as imposed by the Charter of the French Language for all government bodies.”
“The term ‘go’ is found in a French dictionary and is commonly used in everyday language. However, it is an anglicism,” Malack continued. “The Charter requires the Administration to be exemplary in its use of French. A government body, such as the STM, may only use French in its signage, with certain exceptions, such as for health and safety reasons. The Charter is clear regarding the government’s obligations regarding the exemplary use of French, and the Office is mandated to ensure its implementation.”
Roberge said that after several discussions with the OQLF, “it is clear to us that this time-honoured expression must never be questioned.”
He said that in the future, if a complaint is submitted to the OQLF regarding the use of this expression, it will be deemed inadmissible.
The statement from Roberge comes before the Habs take on the Capitals at home Friday night in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs.
“Now that things are clear, I wish the Canadiens a victory tonight. Go Habs Go!” Roberge said.
STM pleased with decision, unsure what’s to come
Eric Alan Caldwell, Chair of the STM Board of Directors said in a statement Friday that they’re happy that Roberge confirmed “Go Habs Go” would be tolerated.
“The STM displayed ‘Go [Team Name] Go’ on these buses to equally support all of its partner sports teams. In light of the new guidelines given by the Minister and the OQFL’s statement, discussions are needed with them to obtain official confirmation that we are authorized to use the word ‘go’ in a sports context and that we will not be penalized if we do so,” he added.
Caldwell said that in the short term, no changes can be made.
“We insist on using the usual update processes that take place in the fall to avoid investing additional resources or dollars in this situation, given our current financial situation,” he said. “The STM is proud to be a long-standing official partner of the Montreal Canadiens, and we will continue to be so. Go Habs Go!”
