The much-debated Quebec Charter of Values is back in the political scene.
The man who introduced the Charter when the PQ was in power, Bernard Drainville, said he wants to reintroduce a new version of the bill, but this time with a more inclusive and softer tone.
It would still impose a ban of wearing religious symbols for public sector workers, but only for newly hired workers.
Another major concession is that CEGEPs, universities and municipalities would be exempt from the ban.
Drainville defended his ideas in a press conference Thursday morning. He said he believes the Charter would put everyone on the same level.
“Diversity is a great strength in Quebec society,” he said. “Out of respect for this diversity, a secular state says to everyone whatever your origin, the colour of your skin, your sexual orientation, your religion, you are all equal in my eyes and I will treat you equally.”
Drainville is one of six contenders for the Parti Quebecois leadership. Political analyst Jean Lapierre said that Drainville is stuck with the Charter issue and he doesn't think it will help him in the leadership race.
He also pointed out Drainville's timing isn't the best, as he is advocating a French-style secular state following terrorist attacks there last week.
“They're now proposing the French model [to us] when we all witnessed the fact that the French model failed totally,” he said.
Lapierre added that as an opposition member of the National Assembly, Drainville's ideas are unlikely to ever become law.
"Frankly, I don't understand those guys. They lost the last election because of the Charter," Lapierre told CTV, "and that's exaclty what they're proposing to us again, so haven't they learned anything?"
Though the Liberal party called Bill 60 a clear violation of Quebecers’ rights, when the PQ party was in power, the party is expected to introduce its version of a Charter of Values later this year after delaying the project for months.
“We'll do what we have to do and we will not be pushed forward by the leadership race within the Parti Quebecois,” said Minister of Justice Stephanie Vallee.
Their Charter will likely be based on Bill 94, proposed after the Bouchard-Taylor reasonable accommodations, which never became law in Quebec.
