The Canadian province of Quebec has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening state secularism. The bill, presented by the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec on Thursday, proposes restrictions on public prayer and limits on the exclusive provision of religion-based meals, such as kosher and halal options, in public institutions.
This new bill expands upon the 2019 religious symbols law, which prohibits judges, police officers, teachers, and public servants from wearing religious symbols like the kippah, turban, or hijab while working. This original law is currently facing a legal challenge that the Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear next year.
Proposed Measures in Bill 9
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec's minister responsible for secularism, stated that the bill aligns with an approach respecting both individual and collective rights. Key measures proposed in Bill 9 include:
- Extending the ban on wearing religious symbols to staff in subsidized daycares.
- Prohibiting "collective religious practices," such as prayer, in public spaces like parks without prior municipal authorization.
- Preventing students and staff from wearing face coverings in educational settings, from daycare through post-secondary levels.
Roberge indicated that the limits on public prayer are a response to recent protests in the province, where instances of groups praying at pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been observed. He described such actions as individuals "blocking traffic, taking possession of the public space without a permit, without warning, and then turning our streets, our parks, our public squares into places of worship."
Reactions and Criticisms
The decision to reinforce the secularism law has drawn criticism. The opposition Parti Québecois has accused the CAQ of creating division. Similarly, the National Council of Canadian Muslims issued a statement criticizing the CAQ for what it termed "doubling down on identity politics and division."
Background on Quebec's Secularism Law
Since the passage of Bill 21 six years ago, secularism has remained a prominent issue in Quebec. Recent developments include:
- In the past year, 11 teachers at a Montreal elementary school, primarily of North African descent, were suspended following a government report. The report indicated that they had created a challenging environment for students and staff and had largely avoided subjects like science and sex education. Quebec Premier François Legault stated that the teachers had attempted to introduce "Islamist" beliefs and pledged to strengthen secularism measures in schools.
- In August, a government-commissioned committee released a report recommending a ban on religious symbols for daycare workers and the gradual discontinuation of public funding for private religious schools.
- Last month, the Legault government passed legislation extending secularism rules to staff who interact with students in public primary and high schools, and prohibiting students from wearing face coverings.