By Derek Vanbuskirk
Officials in Québec, a Canadian province, introduced a bill that restricts most forms of religious expression in public places and universities, while limiting the religious accommodations private businesses can offer.
Lawmakers introduced Bill No. 9, “An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Québec,” on Thursday to reinforce Bill 21 (the Act respecting the laicity of the State), which was passed in 2019.
Bill 21 prohibited public sector workers — such as teachers, police officers and judges — from wearing religious symbols and covering their faces at work. (RELATED: Letting The Terrorists Win: Christmas Markets Ruined Following Attacks)
Bill 9 expands on Bill 21 by extending those regulations to a wide range of public and partially-funded institutions, including jobs in childcare centers, subsidized private schools and private health institutions under agreement.
Students in higher education institutions and childcare services must also have their faces uncovered when receiving services, according to the legislation.
A majority of the debate centers around Bill 9 relate to how the law will affect Muslims, as many Muslim women wear hijabs or burqas. However, these restrictions could also restrict Christians, Jews and other religious groups.
The regulation of religious symbols affects employees in the newly targeted roles who wear religious symbols such as kippahs and visible crucifixes. The bill also bans the use of public parks and roads “for the purposes of collective religious practice without the authorization of the municipality,” the legislation states.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 18: Muslim men pray as hundreds of protesters and activists gather in the streets as they voice anger at Israel and support of Palestinians on May 18, 2021 in New York City. Despite international calls for a cease fire, fighting between Israel and members of Hamas in Gaza has increased in recent days with ongoing military activity that has left hundreds dead. The world community is trying to broker a cease fire between the neighboring states before the situation escalates further. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Sponsor of the Bill and Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge said Thursday that regulations on public prayer were a reaction to groups praying at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, according to the BBC.
“It’s shocking to see people blocking traffic, taking possession of the public space without a permit, without warning, and then turning our streets, our parks, our public squares into places of worship,” Roberge continued.
This portion of the bill may primarily affect Islamic mass prayers, but the act’s stated goal of “Religious Neutrality” enables these laws to potentially affect other modes of worship, such as outdoor communal prayers, worship services and the celebration of religious holidays without a permit.
The bill also prohibits such institutions or organizations from exclusively offering a diet based on a religious precept or tradition (such as Halal or Kosher) in a catering service, according to the CBC.
Bill 9 would also phase out public funding of religious private schools that teach religious material, or select students or teachers based on their religion, the outlet reported.
The sign outside Father Micahel McGivney Catholic High School reads “temporarily closed” 29 May 2003 in Toronto after a student, whose parent is a health care worker, was diagnosed as a possible SARS case.AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI / AFP) (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The standard for accommodations in Québec is currently the Canadian legal standard of “undue hardship,” but Bill 9 cites the lower standard of “more than minimal hardship,” which could make it easier for certain workplaces to deny accommodation requests.
In specific work settings, this could mean stricter dress codes (restricting religious clothing and symbols) and fewer accommodations for dietary restrictions.
Bill 9 acknowledges that it attempts to override portions of the Canadian and provincial constitutions by enacting the notwithstanding clause, the BBC reported. The clause is a provision within the Constitution Act, 1982 that allows the government to temporarily shield a law from being struck down for violating fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter. (RELATED: Key American Partner Denies Visa For Iconic Christian Leader, Trump Ally)
The legislature unanimously adopted the motion to introduce Bill 9 with 92 votes in favor. The bill will now be reviewed by a committee for detailed study and amendments before proceeding to the floor for debate and a final vote on the bill’s adoption, according to Québec’s legislative process.
Roberge has not responded to the Daily Caller’s request to comment by the time of publication.
