The Quebec Charter of values planned by the minority PQ government to address the issue of reasonable accommodation might be in trouble, as Liberal leader Philippe Couillard appears to be cool on the idea.
Couillard told the Canadian Press in an interview earlier this week that he will oppose the legislation if it appears to split Quebecers.
Couillard expressed skepticism that new legislation would do anything that the federal and provincial charters of rights already accomplish.
He has also vowed to oppose Bill 14 that would impose further restrictions on languages other than French.
Couillard said that he’s waiting to see the underlying idea behind the bill but he said that the Liberals will oppose it if it looks like it could divide Quebecers or advance the notion that Quebec is “besieged and in danger.”
Discussions on the legislation were delayed until the fall by Minister Responsible for Democratic Institutions, Bernard Drainville.
However Drainville has said that a bill will be forthcoming soon after the summer holidays.
He said the legislation would aim to bolster the principles that Quebec is a secular society, with gender equality, and equality of all citizens. Those principles would be prioritized over religious accommodation.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
