Subhead:Quebec will now implement the use of the formal and polite form of ‘you’ in Quebec schools to fight impoliteness and disrespect. This will be a failure, and here is why.#
YouTube-embed:qoFo_kAdzB0
Why is no one talking about the real issue behind Quebec’s new “civility rules” in schools, supposedly meant to address rising delinquency and disrespect among students? Let’s break it down.
First, a bit of context. When I was growing up, my mother taught me that when speaking to someone older — or to a stranger — I had to use the formal and polite form of “you” in French: “vous”, not “tu”. I was taught to say Madame and Monsieur as a basic sign of respect.
In Quebec culture, using “tu” with someone you don’t know is considered disrespectful. I experienced this firsthand during the 2021 federal leaders’ debate. I addressed then prime minister Justin Trudeau using “vous” — and he responded to me using “tu”. This shocked many French Quebecers, as it was widely perceived as a sign of blatant disrespect.
Now, the Quebec government believes that by forcing students to use vous, Madame, and Monsieur, they can somehow curb the growing problem of verbal and physical disrespect in classrooms.
Let me be clear: this will change absolutely nothing. And here’s why.
