‘Go Habs Go’ slogan returning to STM buses after language saga

There’s a new development in a very “Montrealesque” saga.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) says it will once again use the word “Go” on its city buses’ electronic signage – such as in “Go Habs Go” or “Go Alouettes Go” when supporting Montreal’s sports teams.

Last year, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) banned the English version of the expression following a complaint. That decision was met with criticism by Montrealers, language advocates and Quebec’s opposition parties.

“The goal of sports is more about bringing people together than dividing them. It’s beautiful here in Montreal that we’re multicultural, and the players—whether they’re French or English—the most important is to play and to win,” said one Montreal passerby.

For sports reporter Jeremy Filosa, the OQLF’s decision to ban the English expression was unanimously opposed.

“Nobody agreed with this. Nobody. Slogans are very important to people, especially when it comes to sports fans […] ‘Go Habs Go’ goes back decades and you can’t just change that by snapping your fingers,” Filosa said.

When the OQLF later reversed course, the STM didn’t go right back to using “Go” in its signage. Instead, the transit authority said it was considering its next move.

It announced its decision to resume using the English expression on Thursday.

“This type of messaging contributes to the pride of STM customers and employees who enjoy supporting their local sports teams in all sorts of ways,” the STM said in a statement.

“The word ‘Go’ is still retained, depending on the featured sport. These decisions were made after consulting with the sports teams.”

The STM says it hadn’t changed the messages until now because the update had to be done individually for each bus during periods of maintenance.

The STM specifies the word “Go” will be used when showing support for the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Victoire and the Montreal Alouettes. It will use the word “Allez” for CF Montreal and the Montreal Roses.

Particularly when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, the slogan “Go Habs Go” is a popular chant of support for the NHL’s most decorated franchise — shouted by anglophones and francophones alike.

“People have been shouting that for years. I’m 78. I’ve been shouting it for 60 years and the team isn’t all Francophone. There’s not enough players that come from Quebec on the team or in the Olympics, or anywhere,” said one Montrealer.

As noted in the STM’s statement, the OQLF “has officially recognized the use of the word ‘go’ as a word of encouragement in its comprehensive dictionary.”