Submitted by Our Languages blog on April 1, 2021, at 16:58
Hello,
The salutation “Dear” can be used with all genders and gender identities. You’ll find examples of inclusive salutations using “Dear” in the Bureau’s recommendation on gender-inclusive writing in correspondence under the section titled “Salutation” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/gender-in...).
For information on the singular “they,” the Portal has a writing tip titled “gender inclusivity: pronouns” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/gender-in...) that can be of help. In addition, you may also want to read two blog posts on the singular "they"’ that have been published on the Our Languages blog: “The singular ‘they’ is gaining acceptance” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/singular-they-eng) and “Embracing the singular ‘they’ as a gender-neutral pronoun" (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/they-as-gender-...).
We hope you’ll find this information useful.
The salutation “Dear” can be used with all genders and gender identities. You’ll find examples of inclusive salutations using “Dear” in the Bureau’s recommendation on gender-inclusive writing in correspondence under the section titled “Salutation” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/gender-in...).
For information on the singular “they,” the Portal has a writing tip titled “gender inclusivity: pronouns” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/gender-in...) that can be of help. In addition, you may also want to read two blog posts on the singular "they"’ that have been published on the Our Languages blog: “The singular ‘they’ is gaining acceptance” (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/singular-they-eng) and “Embracing the singular ‘they’ as a gender-neutral pronoun" (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/they-as-gender-...).
We hope you’ll find this information useful.