As the Coalition Avenir Quebec government in the state of Quebec in Canada introduces a bill to ban visible articles of faith for public servants, this would largely affect Sikhs, Muslims and Jews. World Sikh Organisation expresses deep concern. National Council of Canadian Muslims says it will reduce minorities to second-class citizens. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs has condemned the restrictions on religious freedoms. WSN shames Quebec leadership by not putting their pictures in this story.

The Quebecers in power live in their own world and nothing positive that happens around them touches them. While the whole world has admired the scarf-wearing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the state government of Quebec is putting Canadians to shame and are tearing apart the inclusive and multicultural fabric of the country by forcing public servants to discard their articles of faith.

Taking cue from the New Zealand Prime Minister who chose not to name the person who indulged in the horrific violence to kill people, the WSN has consciously chosen to place her photograph rather than that of the Quebec leaders who are trying to trade official hatred against minorities.

15,000 Sikhs and a sizable number of Muslims in Quebec will be severely impacted should the bill become law. A large number of practicing Sikhs –both men and women in public life wear articles of faith. Apart from the other articles, the turban is the most visible and necessary faith article of both Sikh men and women and Muslim men and women.

“This ban will have a deeply negative impact on Sikhs in Quebec.  The wearing of the turban and the Sikh articles of faith is not optional for Sikhs and a ban on these articles of faith is, in effect, a ban on Sikhs in positions of authority.

Mukhbir Singh, President, WSO

For the fourth time in a row, Quebec has seen the introduction of a bill banning religious garb or symbols, with this being the broadest proposal to date. The Coalition Avenir Quebec government has sought to introduce a bill to ban the wearing of religious symbols. According to the proposed Bill 21- ‘An Act respecting the Laicity of the State’, Public servants in positions of authority such as police officers, judges, prosecutors and also school teachers will be included in the ban.

The bill would ban the wearing of the hijab, kippah, and turban for public servants, including teachers, school administrators, Crown lawyers, police officers, correctional officers and others.

In a quick and sharp reaction to the proposed bill, WSO President Mukhbir Singh said, “We are deeply disappointed that the CAQ has introduced legislation banning the wearing of religious clothing and symbols in Quebec. The proposed legislation is unnecessary. There is no evidence to suggest that individuals wearing items of religious clothing are negatively impacting anyone in society.  Secularism is about the neutrality of the state towards religion and not about limiting individuals’ freedom of religion.”

“We are deeply opposed to the restriction and erosion of the freedom of religion of individuals in the name of secularism.”

Rabbi Reuben Poupko, Quebec co-chair, CIJA

In a strong opposition to the proposal, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said “the CAQ government’s so-called secularism bill will render Quebec Muslims and other minority communities as second-class citizens.”

Rabbi Reuben Poupko, Quebec co-chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, through a release has said that, “We are deeply opposed to the restriction and erosion of the freedom of religion of individuals in the name of secularism.”

This bill has invoked the notwithstanding clause, allowing it to override freedom of religion protections enshrined in the Charter of Rights & Freedoms and Quebec’s own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada has expressed, “deep disappointment at the tabling of the bill as “religious symbols” remain undefined in the law- leaving it unclear how particular items of jewelry or clothing will be classified cultural, religious or otherwise and who will make that determination.

Mukhbir Singh expressed concern that, “This ban will have a deeply negative impact on Sikhs in Quebec.  The wearing of the turban and the Sikh articles of faith is not optional for Sikhs and a ban on these articles of faith is, in effect, a ban on Sikhs in positions of authority.  We fear that this ban will have a trickle-down effect into the private sector and young Sikhs who are born and raised in Quebec will find it even more difficult to find jobs in the province.”

“Secularism is about the state protecting religious freedom for all Quebecers, and not coercing individual conformity to what the majority wants,”

Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, NCCM

As the coalition in Quebec has invoked the notwithstanding clause entitling it to override protections for freedom of religion enshrined in both the Canadian and Quebec Charters, the only solution is for the people of Quebec to strongly oppose this bill.”

“Secularism is about the state protecting religious freedom for all Quebecers, and not coercing individual conformity to what the majority wants,” said NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

“While there is strong sentiment to reaffirm the secularism of Quebec, our community believes that the secularism of the state is an institutional duty and not a personal one. The commitment to secularism does not rest on the outward appearance of individuals.”, said CIJA.

All three organisations –the WSO, the NCCM and the CIJA have sought support from politicians across Quebec and Canada to denounce and oppose this discriminatory legislation.

It is heartening to note that the city council of Côte St-Luc has vehemently opposed this legislation, but polls suggest that a majority of the population is in favour of it.

Will Quebecers rise to the occasion in to a modern world or will they still live with their hatred?