Quebec's commission stated that the words 'nigger' or 'negre' undermine the dignity of the black community
Nearly a dozen names of places in Quebec must be changed because they contain words like "nigger" or Negro, a commission in the French-speaking Canadian province said Saturday.
"Even if the words 'nigger' or 'negre' are of ancient usage, they can undermine the dignity of the black community," Quebec's commission on place names said.
"Indeed, the former has a strongly offensive connotation, while the latter has acquired a pejorative charge over time."
In all, 11 names of lakes, rivers, rapids and hamlets in Quebec must be changed as a result of the directive. The province is the only one where the word "negre" -- which means "Negro" in French -- appears in place names.
The commission wants the new names to respect "as much as possible the historic legacy of the place" and "recall the presence of the black community, which has enriched Quebec."
The decision follows a debate launched in August about the appropriateness of the name "Nigger Rapids" given in 1970 to rapids in the town of Bouchette, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) northwest of Montreal.
Quebec Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee had also expressed concern about "names that could have a hurtful connotation."