Bill 21: Quebec cites “social peace” for expansion despite clause

QUEBEC – 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 constitutional clause needs to be used for another five years to maintain “public peace” in the province.

“But I think most Quebecers, almost all Quebecers, are happy with the climate we have now,” Roberge said.

Bill 21 was passed in June 2019 and bans public servants, including teachers, police officers and judges, from wearing religious symbols at work.

“But it is important for us not to accept religious symbols, signs of people in power, and to ban them. I think it's reasonable,” said Quebec Premier Francois Legault.

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

But Avenir's Quebec coalition government has a majority, while the other two opposition parties, Parti Québécois and Quebec solidaire, support extending the clause.

“That's obvious. Before we voted on the law on secularism, we discussed a lot, which is normal,” explained Roberge. “But we have many complaints, crises, appearances. It was not a good climate. The people were against the group, and the people were against the people. And now we don't see it. Because we voted for secularism, we can live in peace in Quebec.”

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 on February 8, 2024.

Canadian Press