CALEB NICKERSON
QUEBEC March 28, 2019
The Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) and Pontiac’s MNA André Fortin have denounced the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ)’s bill to ban public servants from donning religious garments in the course of their duties, which was tabled in the provincial legislature on March 28.
Bill 21, “An Act respecting the laicity of the State,” was put forth by CAQ Immigration minister Simon Jolin-Barrette on Thursday as part of his party’s election promise to enforce the “secularism” of the state. The proposed law would ban public employees with “coercive powers,” such as teachers, judges and police officers, from wearing any religious symbols, from hijabs and turbans to crucifix necklaces.
School boards across the province have voiced their opposition to the bill and the WQSB issued a press release echoing the same on March 29.
“I believe our cultural and religious diversity is a strength in our schools and centres,” said WQSB Director General Mike Dubeau in the press release. “It is our mission as educators to model acceptance and respect of others in order to build collaborative learning communities.”
When asked for comment by The Equity on March 31, Pontiac MNA André Fortin said his party will oppose the bill.
“It goes against our core values of our political party and really it goes against the charter of rights and freedoms,” he said. “The government has taken the extra step to use the notwithstanding clause because they know their bill goes against individual freedoms, individual liberties and freedom of religion.”
“My daughter’s school in Aylmer has a teacher that wears a religious symbol but I don’t care what’s on her head, I care what’s inside her head, I care about the ideas she has and whether my daughter thinks she’s a great teacher,” he continued. “As a province, I think we can do better than the legislation that was brought forward.”
