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Quebec government proposes bill to expand despite clause in secularism law – Winnipeg Free Press

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QUEBEC – The Quebec government will introduce legislation Thursday aimed at ensuring the province's secularism law, known as Bill 21, remains protected from potential Charter challenges.

François Legault's coalition Avenir Quebec government plans to extend for another five years the use of a clause in the Constitution that protects against legal challenges over violations of fundamental freedoms.

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

Quebec Premier Francois Legault answers the opposition during question period, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the legislature in Quebec City. On Thursday, the Quebec government will debate a bill that would allow the province's secularism law — known as Bill 21 — to continue to be protected from potential statutory challenges.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault answers the opposition during question period, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the legislature in Quebec City. On Thursday, the Quebec government will debate a bill that would allow the province's secularism law — known as Bill 21 — to continue to be protected from potential statutory challenges.

Despite the application of this clause, the law is being challenged in the courts on several fronts.

Legault's majority government, which has described the law as reasonable, supports extending the clause despite support from the Parti Quebecois and the Quebecois, while the official opposition Liberals oppose it.