Sherbrooke Feminist collective wants genderneutral municipal communications policy

The Sherbrooke Feminist Collection has petitioned the City to adopt a policy gender- neutral and inclusive communications policy that avoids the use of the generic masculine as the norm. The letter deposited to Council Tuesday, counted Councillor Diane Délisle among its signatories.

The petition claims that a communications policy that is gender-neutral and inclusive makes it possible to affirm in a concrete manner a concern for equality for all through the use of neutral terms. Such a policy would also be consistent with principles advocated by all sectors of the political class to ensure that language used reflects the consideration, respect and recognition of women's work, which is often invisible. Other levels of government apply this principle, as do several public, para-public and community organizations, and the Université de Sherbrooke.

Délisle says she became aware of the issue while acting as a commissioner for the study of the Urbanization plan for Wellington St. South. At the time, the Collective, criticized the masculine name of the Quartier de l'entrepreneur, which became Quartier Well inc.

The Collective wants a gender-neutral communication policy established before the end of the year.

Mayor Bernard Sévigny acknowledged the concern and said that council members will study the document positively.