Quebec government says ‘Go Habs Go!’ expression is part of province’s identity

MONTREAL — The Quebec government has stepped in to defend the phrase “Go Habs Go!”

French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge says the slogan is part of the DNA and identity of Quebec and has been used for decades to support the Montreal Canadiens NHL hockey team.

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His statement today comes after Montreal’s transit agency removed the expression “Go! Canadiens Go!” from city buses and replaced it with “Allez! Canadiens Allez!” after a complaint to Quebec’s language watchdog about the use of the English word “go.”

Roberge says employees of the French-language office have received threats since the change made headlines on Thursday.

He says the watchdog will dismiss any future complaints regarding “Go Habs Go!” and that the “time-honoured expression must never be questioned.”

The language office says it doesn’t object to the use of the expression, but adds that public bodies have a legal obligation to use exemplary French.

The Canadiens host Game 3 of their first-round playoff series tonight against the Washington Capitals. The Habs are down 2-0 in the best-of-seven matchup.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.

The Canadian Press