Overview

• Montreal's transit agency, STM, has replaced the English slogan 'Go! Canadiens Go!' on buses with the French equivalent 'Allez! Canadiens Allez!' in response to a language complaint.
• The change stems from Quebec’s language watchdog, the OQLF, which enforces stricter French-language use under the province’s updated language charter, Bill 96.
• STM began manually updating bus displays last summer, completing the modifications earlier this year ahead of the Canadiens' NHL playoff run.
• The move has drawn criticism from the Parti Québécois, which argues there are more pressing issues for French-language protection, and from English-speaking groups, who view it as unnecessary.
• The phrase 'Go Habs Go!' remains popular among fans and the Canadiens organization, highlighting tensions between linguistic policy and cultural traditions.