Quebec’s Minister Jean-François Roberge has announced the discontinuation of gender-inclusive language in official government communications. Roberge expressed concerns about the confusion caused by the absence of clear guidelines, leading to challenges in maintaining proper French grammar. The directive prohibits the use of gender-neutral terms like “iel,” “toustes,” “celleux,” “mix,” and “froeur,” along with the banned practice of using abbreviated doublets to include both genders in a single word.
Inclusive writing, which aims to encompass all gender identities and avoid favoring masculine forms, has been a common practice. Roberge emphasized the importance of accommodating individuals who prefer non-binary pronouns like “iel” to ensure inclusivity and openness.
Victoria Legault, from Aide aux Trans du Québec, criticized Roberge’s decision, stating that it invalidates individuals who use non-binary pronouns and excludes them from public discourse. Legault highlighted the need for better communication between LGBTQ+ communities and the Quebec government to address pressing issues and avoid creating additional challenges for marginalized groups.
While the Parti Québécois leader supported the linguistic policy changes, Roberge clarified that they align with recommendations from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) to bring consistency and coherence to government communications. The next phase will extend these rules to the education and health sectors, aiming to standardize language usage across different government entities.