Bill 21: Quebec renews despite “social peace” clause

The Quebec government today passed legislation to continue protecting the province's secularism law — known as Bill 21 — from legal challenges over Charter violations.

Jean-Francois Roberge, the minister in charge of secularism, says the constitution still needs to be applied for another five years to maintain “social peace” in the province.

Bill 21 was passed in June 2019 and bans government officials deemed to be in positions of authority, including teachers, police officers and judges, from wearing religious symbols at work.

The official opposition Liberals oppose the extension of the clause, saying there is no reason to suspend basic freedoms.

But the Avenir Quebec coalition has a majority government, while the other two opposition parties, the Parti Quebecois and the Quebec Solier, support the extension of the clause.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, however, stipulates that the clause may apply to legislation for five years, after which the government must renew it.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on February 8, 2024.