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QUEBEC’S NEW RELIGIOUS LAWS

I was appalled that The Liberal Party of Quebec has recently decided to ban wearing religious symbols for public employees, No longer will orthodox Jewish men in the public service will be allowed to wear their Kippahs. Muslim women who want to wear their Hijab will be barred from working as teachers, librarians. Sikh men who are proud to wear their their turbans will no longer have equal access to provincial public employment.

When the legislation was passed in the middle of the night there was a very large crucifix hanging above the Speaker’s throne at the Quebec Legislature in Quebec city prohibiting those in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols while on the job. What hypocrisy.

The legislation I suspect will go all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada and if shown it is contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedom the Quebec government will choose to invoke the Not Withstanding Clause to temporarily overide Bill 21 for five years.

The last time I checked Christianity is a religion where many observant men and women proudly wear a cross that identifies them as members of the Christian faith. I suspect that they will not have to abandon their crosses when they report to work.

Reminds me of a true story of a Thames Valley high school teacher who told me that he chose to teach his students about religion." Not to worry it was a non sectarian interpretation of the holy bible; Just Christianity".

I suspect that the legislation will outrage thousands of the religious minority who will show their displeasure with their feet to move out of Quebec.

Len Lesser is an education career counselor in Dorchester, Ont..

Len Lesser