The Quebec government has instituted a new, mandatory civility policy for all schools across the province, fundamentally changing how students interact with their educators. The core directive requires students to address teachers using formal terms of respect, specifically the formal French pronoun 'vous' instead of the informal 'tu'. The policy was announced and came into effect on January 6, 2026.
The Core of the New Policy
This initiative, launched by the provincial government, makes it compulsory for students to use formal language as a sign of respect towards their teachers and other school staff. The policy is framed as a measure to reinforce decorum, authority, and a traditional classroom hierarchy within the Quebec education system. Officials argue that clear linguistic boundaries foster a more respectful and serious learning environment.
The move represents a significant shift in everyday school culture, particularly in a society where the informal 'tu' has become increasingly common in many professional and casual settings. The government's position is that the classroom is a unique space where professional respect must be explicitly codified through language.
Immediate Reaction and Criticism
However, the policy has not been met with universal approval. A key voice of opposition comes from teachers' unions. The president of a major Quebec teachers' union publicly criticized the measure, stating "Teachers know best" when it comes to managing classroom dynamics and relationships with their students.
The union's argument suggests that mandating a specific linguistic form is a top-down approach that may not address the root causes of disrespect and could undermine the professional judgment of educators. Critics contend that respect is cultivated through consistent, fair, and engaged teaching, not solely through enforced pronouns, and that such a rule may create unnecessary friction or feel artificial to both students and teachers.
Broader Implications and Context
The introduction of this civility policy places Quebec at the forefront of a formal debate about etiquette and power structures in Canadian schools. It raises questions about generational shifts in communication, the role of authority in modern education, and how respect is best instilled. Proponents see it as a return to valued traditions, while opponents view it as a potentially rigid and outdated mandate.
As the policy is implemented across the province in the new year, its practical impact on classroom atmosphere, teacher-student relationships, and overall school culture will be closely watched by educators, parents, and policymakers both within Quebec and across Canada.
