Quebec’s controversial secularism bill creates and reinforces division

Which belief systems does Quebec believe will endanger the community to such an extent that it warrants invoking the notwithstanding clause, Laura Morlock asks.

https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/9268158-quebec-s-controversial-secularism-bill-creates-and-reinforces-division/?fbclid=iwar0qjq8m6xe5jfycmp4hmtu8nzyqns4ugo_cftoogsui0hhsgrhdnd8p0cc

There have been four consecutive proposals by Quebec political parties to ban religious symbols in public, but the Coalition Avenir government's invocation of the notwithstanding clause sets Bill 21 apart, allowing the bill to override Charter rights of religious freedom and expression for five years. It is also broader in its scope, affecting more careers and services than previous legislative attempts, including any jobs the government deems to represent public authority, including Crown prosecutors, judges, teachers and even wildlife conservation officers.

Premier Francois Legault and Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette claim the bill is necessary to protect Quebec culture and to enshrine secularism within public life. The bill's preamble also notes that Quebec places importance on the equality of women and men, a pointed reference to the hijab and niqab worn by some Muslim women, which Isabelle Charest, Quebec's minister for the status of women, has twice stated are symbols of "oppression."

Bill 21's definition of "religious symbols" is, unsurprisingly, narrow. It relies on a simplistic understanding of religion rooted in Quebec's Christian past — but religion, and religious systems, are complex. Some emphasize belief systems, while others do not. Some have written sacred texts, and others have none. Some have one deity, multiple gods, or even none. Understanding that "religion" is far more nuanced than systems that look like Christianity brings out some of the problems with banning "all" religious symbols. For instance, Jolin-Barrette said Rastafarian dreadlocks are not included in the prohibition. Why not? Is Rastafarianism not a "real" religion to the CAQ?