Quebec's governing Parti Quebecois has tabled its long anticipated legislation denoting the place of faith in society.
Entitled "The Charter Affirming the Values of State Secularism and Religious Neutrality and of Equality between Women and Men", the legislation bars public servants from wearing religious garments and symbols in the workplace, including schools, hospitals, government-funded day care centres and all government offices. Turbans, "outsized" crucifixes, hijabs and niqabs are examples of clothing and artefacts that would not be permitted. Bernard Drainville, Minister for Democratic Institutions and Active Citizenship, says the bill "guarantees the equality of men and women as well as the religious neutrality of the state."
The legislation allows for a transition period for existing employees but would be effective immediately for new employees. How it would apply to members of the National Assembly or the equally tricky question of whether to remove the giant crucifix from the National Assembly would be left to a vote in parliament.
The Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops has described the bill as unfair to Muslims, especially Muslim women, given that hijabs are banned but not beards are not, and says it risks creating religious and cultural enclaves. "The more you try to have an identity by pushing back others, the more you create ghettos. Women will stay at home and will not integrate - and neither will their children," the bishops' statement said.
The Parti Quebecois is a minority government and both opposition parties are opposed to the legislation, which is unlikely to become law but might trigger an election. Polling suggests a majority of Quebecois support the legislation limiting public expressions of faith.
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