Comment: Quebec does not need a lesson on laicite from France

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In a recent speech to Quebec's National Assembly, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the close ties between France and Quebec. His speech, eloquent and rich in historical references, perfectly illustrated this privileged relationship. However, despite the refreshing approach offered by the youngest head of government in the republic, he did not completely escape his stubborn reflex to impose French universalism.

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In his speech to our NNA, Attal touched on the complex and sensitive issue of secularism. His support for Bill 21 was thinly veiled and even glamorous, one might say. Passed by a split vote in 2019, the law remains controversial because of restrictions on personal freedoms and the use of a notwithstanding clause that temporarily suspends certain sections of Quebec's and Canada's charters of rights and freedoms.

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The law has also been the subject of legal challenges that could reach the Supreme Court. In this context, even subtle political support for Bill 21 by a foreign head of government can legitimately be seen as a diplomatic blunder.

Attal's endorsement of Quebec's restrictive approach to secularism, which is somewhat inspired by his home country's version, comes as the federal government led by Justin Trudeau intends to challenge Bill 21 in the Supreme Court. This position is supported by the leader of the official opposition, the conservative Pierre Poillevre, who, if he comes to power, he intends to maintain it, according to the opinion polls.

Although Attal maintains a policy of “neither interference nor indifference,” this position appears to be strictly limited to the question of Quebec sovereignty. Indeed, regardless of the language used, Attal's support for the concept of secularism promoted by Avenir's Quebec coalition government is a passive form of intervention in Quebec and Canada's democratic debate, with legal, constitutional, and intergovernmental implications. The CAQ says it will even seek advice from the French government on how to ensure that the 21 draft laws are maintained in the education system.

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Consider for a moment: What would be the reaction of the French political class if the roles were reversed? When President Jacques Chirac banned religious symbols in public high schools in 2004, it was impossible for then-Prime Minister Paul Martin or then-Prime Minister Jean Charest to address the issue of secularism before the French National Assembly.

But let's be clear: Secularism is definitely a value we cherish in Quebec. However, and leaving Bill 21 aside for a moment, our vision and practice of secularism is based on a broader concept of freedom than in France. Since the Quiet Revolution, Quebec has developed its own model of secularism that faithfully reflects its society, history, geography and broader vision of freedom. This is a very different logic of secularization than in France before and after the 1789 Revolution and the 1905 Law of Separation of Church and State.

Basically, the concept of secularism is based on three pillars: freedom of conscience and religion, equality of religions and state neutrality. In addition, it no longer includes secularism, but the restriction of personal freedom. Such restrictions may be legitimate if it can be empirically demonstrated that a real and pressing problem exists, and if the policy to be implemented can address that problem (e.g., Bill 101 on the language front). However, Bill 21 does not, and the argument that “this is how we live in Quebec” hardly meets the criteria of a liberal democracy.

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This is how the debate breaks down. Moreover, we have reached a situation where many consider Bill 21 to be secularism, and opposition to Bill 21 is opposition to secularism, which is completely absurd.

Quebec should not take lessons or advice from France, whose example has not found an echo in any of the Western democracies – countries committed to secularism. The French model stands in stark contrast to the more peaceful spirit Quebec tried to cultivate before Bill 21 passed, fueling social tensions and exclusion. Far from disrespecting France's values, this is an affirmation of our own trajectory and principles. respect differences and strive for balance in our social fabric.

Salim Idrissi is a former political advisor in the Liberal governments of Jean Charest and Philippe Couillard. He is the founder Politiquement Parlant YouTube channel and podcast.

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