The provincial government is moving forward with a proposed law that would prevent anyone from wearing a niqab, or face-covering veil, if they work for the government.
Bill 94 would also demand that anyone receiving government-paid services have their face uncovered.
Minister of Justice Kathleen Weil says the legislation is a clear statement of the government's position, and she believes the government has solid support.
"It continues to be well received, and now it's for the groups to share their vision with us," said Weil.
However lawyers and human rights experts say the bill is not useful because it will be overridden by the Charter of Rights.
"We think that reasonable accommodation has already been well defined by the courts," said Dominique Peschard of the Rights and Liberties League (Ligue des Droits et Libertes).
Peschard adds that it is wrong to confuse the secularity of the state with the right to demonstrate beliefs.
"The niqab and other religious practices can be the object of a public discourse and criticized," said Peschard. "It's the question of interdicting it or forbidding it that we don't agree with."
The Quebec Bar Association says the bill is backwards, and that accommodation must come before limits are set.
"If for any reason the person says 'I must wear the burqa' it should be possible if it doesn't make any obstacle to give the service," said Pierre Chagnon, president of the Bar Association.
The Bar Association insists that all the rights in the charter are equal, and if they conflict the courts must decide.
