Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Quebec Bill Prohibits Religious Symbols For Teachers, Other Public Sector Workers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Mar, 2019 07:25 PM

    QUEBEC — The Quebec government tabled legislation Thursday to prohibit public sector employees in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols at work.


    The law affects teachers, judges, police officers, prison guards, Crown prosecutors and other public servants in positions of authority. But it contains a provision permitting current employees in those positions to continue wearing religious symbols.


    Titled, "An act respecting the laicity of the state," Bill 21 aims to fulfil a Coalition Avenir Quebec election promise. Premier Francois Legault has said the proposal is supported by a majority of Quebecers.


    Speaking to reporters in Halifax Thursday before the bill had been tabled, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would wait to study it before commenting in detail, but he clearly signalled his opposition.


    "Canada, and indeed Quebec, are places where we are a secular society, we respect deeply people's rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion," Trudeau said.


    "It is unthinkable to me that in a free society, we would legitimize discrimination against citizens based on their religion."


    Civil rights groups have criticized the Legault government's plan. Before the text was even made public, one Montreal school board declared its intention to disobey a law that it said would violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.


    But the bill contains provisions to shield it from court challenge. It declares that it will have affect "notwithstanding" protections in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and "despite" protections in the provincial Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.


    In the bill's preamble, the government says its measures are based on four principles: "the separation of state and religions, the religious neutrality of the state, the equality of all citizens, and freedom of conscience and freedom of religion."


    In an about-face before the bill was tabled, the government said it would propose a motion calling for the withdrawal of the crucifix from the provincial legislature.


    The crucifix has hung above the Speaker's chair in the national assembly since 1936, and the Legault government said last October it would not remove it because it is an important part of the province's heritage.


    Opposition to the government's plan has been growing. On Wednesday night, the English Montreal School Board adopted a motion declaring its refusal to implement legislation restricting the wearing of religious symbols.


    Julien Feldman, chairman of the EMSB's human resources committee, said the board has never received a complaint from a student or parent about a teacher's religious symbol.


    "This proposed legislation would be contrary to the values the EMSB teaches its children, in particular, values of diversity, acceptance, tolerance and respect for individual rights and religious freedoms," Feldman said in a statement.


    The board's resolution came a day after a major teachers' federation spoke out against the planned legislation and filed a lawsuit to stop government attempts to count the number of teachers who wear religious symbols.


    Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Legault said the secularism bill would contain compromises, adding that his goal was to be "unifying."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Crash Threatens Vancouver Shipyard's Schedule For New Coast Guard Ships

    Crash Threatens Vancouver Shipyard's Schedule For New Coast Guard Ships
    Seaspan Shipyards vice-president Tim Page says the CCGS Sir John Franklin was finishing its first week of sea trials Friday when it crashed into the Ogden Point breakwater.

    Crash Threatens Vancouver Shipyard's Schedule For New Coast Guard Ships

    Refugee Who Sheltered Edward Snowden In Hong Kong En Route To Canada

    A woman who helped shelter former CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden when he fled to Hong Kong is coming with her daughter to Canada after being granted refugee status.

    Refugee Who Sheltered Edward Snowden In Hong Kong En Route To Canada

    Abbotsford Bible College Students Visit Gurdwara

    They were led by Professor Kara Bergstrom, Director of the Intercultural Studies Department.

    Abbotsford Bible College Students Visit Gurdwara

    Montreal Priest Sentenced To Eight Years For Sexually Abusing Two Parishioners

    MONTREAL — A Montreal priest who sexually abused two boys has been handed an eight-year prison term.    

    Montreal Priest Sentenced To Eight Years For Sexually Abusing Two Parishioners

    Justin Trudeau Sells Housing Plan In Visit To Hot Real Estate Market In B.C.

    Justin Trudeau Sells Housing Plan In Visit To Hot Real Estate Market In B.C.
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted efforts by the Liberal government to help first-time homebuyers put more down on their mortgages during a visit to a region of the country today that is facing a housing squeeze.

    Justin Trudeau Sells Housing Plan In Visit To Hot Real Estate Market In B.C.

    B.C. Government Announces $18.6 Million In Search And Rescue Funding

    B.C. Government Announces $18.6 Million In Search And Rescue Funding
    The British Columbia government has announced more funding to search and rescue groups throughout the province to be used over the next three years.  

    B.C. Government Announces $18.6 Million In Search And Rescue Funding