Leaked details of a government plan to restrict religious symbols in several public places in the province of Quebec have drawn severe criticism. A Montreal newspaper outlined a proposed policy that would prohibit public employees from wearing items like Sikh turbans, Muslim head scarves, Jewish kippas or prominent crucifixes in places like hospitals, public schools and daycares.
“a gratuitous move of exclusion.” © CBC
Plan called “monstrous”
“Monstrous” is how the new plan was characterized by Charles Taylor, a philosopher who co-presided over a 2007 government-appointed commission looking into the accommodation of minorities in Quebec. “It just is a terrible move, a gratuitous move of exclusion.”
Human rights lawyer Julius Grey said if the plan is ever put into place it would likely be challenged in court using provisions in the Charter of Rights. “It’s not just freedom of religion that we have in our charter,” he said. “It’s also freedom of religion and conscience. It’s an individual freedom and we should not put people in a situation where they have to choose between jobs and their conscience, between integration and their conscience. I think this particular draft makes no distinction and, in fact, is very dangerous that way.”
If the goal of a “Charter of Quebec Values” is to integrate newcomers, this version of it would fail, suggests Grey. Because the ban on religious wear would not apply to private institutions, it might spur the creation of private schools and hospitals and in fact delay integration.
Trial balloon
The leak of this charter has the mark of a trial balloon. The government has, in the past, said it would not hesitate to fight the courts for its right to guarantee a secular society in Quebec. The ruling party, the Parti Quebecois, has also has stated that it would use any clash with Canadian institutions like the Supreme Court to stir up support for its main cause which is independence for the province.
The party could also be trying to garner public support knowing that a past public opinion poll indicated a majority of Quebecers are in favour of a ban on turbans, and feel that hijabs and kippas are a cultural threat.
not wear turbans, for example. © CBC
Quebec is particularly sensitive about protecting its culture given that its French population is a minority in Canada. However Grey dismisses any suggestion that Quebec is an intolerant society. In fact, he says it is one of the most open and tolerant.
That said, he hopes the leaked policy draws widespread criticism and is never passed by the government, which happens to be in a minority position in the governing National Assembly.
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