The Parti Quebecois government tabled its controversial values charter in the national assembly Thursday.
Bill 60 would force state employees to take off their headscarves, yarmulkes, turbans and larger-than-average crucifixes if they want to keep their jobs.
“The purpose of this bill is to establish a Charter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation request,” reads a note at the beginning of the document.
If adopted, not only must state employees have their faces uncovered while administering government services, but those receiving those services must also have their faces uncovered.
Despite previous reports indicating there would be a way for certain institutions to opt-out of the charter's provisions, there is no exemption clause in the bill tabled Thursday.
Instead, public institutions have five years to draft a policy that adheres to the charter.
Premier Pauline Marois held a news conference after the bill was tabled and said she believes the proposed legislation will unite Quebecers.
"We want this debate to take place in a serene atmosphere -- a serene and respectful atmosphere," she said.
"It is a great moment for our society. This is a beautiful day for Quebec."
Despite repeated questioning by reporters, Bernard Drainville, minister of democratic institutions, would not elaborate on the disciplinary measures that may be undertaken against people who do not adhere to the rules of the charter.
He also said he hopes the charter won't lead to firings, but that “ultimately everyone has to obey the law.”
Drainville explained the need for the new law by referencing an episode in 2007 in which a Montreal YMCA replaced four frosted windows because nearby ultra-Orthodox Jews sought to obscure the view of people exercising.
“The YMCA episode, the episode of the women wearing the niqab at CEGEP St. Laurent, the numerous, numerous anecdotes we're getting from the health care system of people wanting to be treated by someone of their own sex,” said Drainville.
He said also that the government has received many requests for such rules. “Public schools, hospitals, municipalities they're telling us give us a framework give us a set of rules, we need it.”
Outside of the National Assembly Thursday morning, officers from the Quebec City police bomb squad investigated a suspicious suitcase behind the legislature.
A man was later arrested in connection with the item, which proved harmless.
Federal parties slam legislation
The federal Conservatives said Thursday that it would challenge the bill if passed.
Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney told a Toronto audience that freedom of religion is a fundamental right recognized worldwide.
“That is why I am concerned about the content of the proposed legislation,” he said. “People wearing a turban, a yarmulke or a cross have just as much right to participate in public life as anybody else.”
He vowed that the federal government would observe and analyze the progress of the legislation “very closely.”
“If (the bill) does not respect Canadian law, we will do whatever is necessary,” said Kenney.
Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair also spoke out against the bill.
The NDP MP noted that under the bill, it would be legal for a daycare to offer vegetarian meals to children whose parents are vegetarians, but it would be illegal for the same care to offer a vegetarian meal to another child for religious reasons.
He called the bill “purely political” and said the NDP would work with Montreal lawyer Julius Grey to defend anybody who loses their job over the new rules.
The federal Liberals also took aim at Bill 60.
“The Marois government wants to inject Quebecers with a dose of mistrust. Their fear of all things different threatens to infect the entire society,” said Deputy Leader Stéphane Dion.
Mayor, Boad of Trade reaffirm opposition
Denis Coderre, who will be sworn in as mayor of Montreal on November 14, told media Thursday afternoon that he plans to maintain his active opposition to the legislation.
"I find this charter divisive and haven't changed my mind," he said, adding that he plans to pass a council motion condemning the charter and ask others on the agglomeration council to join the effort as well before he meets officials in Quebec City.
"I am aware it’s a very divisive and emotional debate. I ask everybody to remain calm, we’re not going to spread fear," said Coderre.
The Montreal Board of Trade issued a press release Thursday describing the charter as being in, “total opposition with Montreal’s economic reality.”
President Michel Leblanc noted that Montreal takes on 87 percent of recent immigrants to Quebec, which makes it the place most affected.
“The bill follows a debate which has divided Quebec and Montreal and stained Montreal’s reputation as a tolerant and open-minded city, so in this sense it’s Quebec’s largest city that will suffer consequences.”
Muslims express disapproval
A member of the Canadian Muslim Council said it was upsetting to watch the Bill be tabled, and that the legislation almost demonizes people who wear a headscarf.
Shaheen Ashraf said she’s not forced to cover her head – rather, she feels like she’s being forced to remove something she choose to wear.
“I’m made to feel like some kind of pariah for wearing this scarf on my head,” she said, adding that though she’s made to feel different, she doesn’t feel different from anyone else.
Some people of Muslim origins have expressed support for the bill, however.
“Religion for me it has always it is something private you don't have to wear any sign people don't have to know what is your religion,” said Leila Bensalem who was born of the Muslim faith but supports the bill.
Pundits weigh in
According to political analysts, the PQ strengthened the bill instead of compromising and including the suggestions of other parties for a specific reason.
“They want to save this and use it as a plank for an upcoming election,” said Gazette columnist Don Macpherson.
When asked whether public opinion will change now that the bill has been tabled, analyst Jean Lapierre was skeptical.
“I think everybody’s already sick and tired of this discussion,” he said.
“What's going to happen is they're going to drag it on and on until it remains a political issue and they're going to say they need a majority to get it through,” said Lapierre.
Under that scenario, the PQ would have an issue that they could hope would give them a majority in an upcoming election.
Bill 60 contains guidelines on dealing with requests for accommodation on religious grounds, tips for different public bodies to draft policies to implement the provisions of the bill, including a special section for the “educational childcare services sector."
The Liberals have been deeply critical of the plan and have called for its clothing provisions to be all but eliminated with the exception of people covering their faces while receiving state services.
The charter's title in its entirety is the Charter Affirming The Values Of Secularism And The Religious Neutrality Of The State, As Well As The Equality Of Men And Women, And The Framing Of Accommodation Requests.
The minister responsible says the title was selected by government lawyers who worked on the bill.
Many federal politicians and former PQ premiers, including Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bourchard, have publicly denounced the charter.
But some groups, including one calling itself the 'Janettes' after Janette Bertrand, an 88-year-old Quebec actress who strongly supports the measures, have protested in favour of the legislation.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
