September 24,2025
RED FM News Desk
Quebec is moving to ban the use of gender-neutral inclusive language in all official communications.
French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge is set to introduce legislation at the National Assembly on Wednesday, saying that newly adopted gender-neutral words—often used by transgender and non-binary people—create “incoherence” in the French language.
Under the new rules, gendered nouns may not be neutralized, and pronouns such as “iel” (similar to the English “they”) will be prohibited. Other inclusive terms, including “celleux” (those), “Mx.” (mix), and “froeur” (sibling), will also be barred.
“It is what it is, so we have to make sure our grammar is applied and that new words are not incompatible with it,” Roberge told reporters.
Quebec’s language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), already offers guidelines for gender-neutral writing, encouraging doublets (e.g., “lecteurs et lectrices”), neutral job titles, and other inclusive strategies. However, the new rules will restrict the use of doublets, allowing brackets only in limited cases.
Roberge argued the changes are needed to prevent confusion: “Without rules, people—acting in good faith—are using words that cause serious problems in French. We can’t conjugate properly, so we need to impose clear standards.” He added that many Quebecers already struggle with grammar and that the reforms will make usage more “uniform.”
The ban will initially apply to public communications across government ministries, municipalities, schools, universities, and the health-care system, with internal use expected to follow later.
It remains unclear how the rules will affect students, educators, or patients who use gender-neutral pronouns or carry health cards marked with an X gender designation. Roberge said the government would “adjust as necessary.”
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