Quebec wants to expand religious symbol, blocking Muslim garments in civil service

Quebec's new government is planning to be a part of the shadl-like world of women and men, and the niqab, which also covers the face.

Coalition Avenir Québec Premier Francois Legault has already made clear his intention to prohibit those who hold positions of authority over these religious symbols, such as the hijab, a Muslim headscarf.

The ban on the chador and niqab, however, would extend to all employees in the public sector. A representative from the CAQ could affect you.

Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, Government of the United States, said Wednesday the government plans to "move quickly" to introduce a law.

"It was always our position to prohibit the chador in the public service," said Jolin-Barrette, in response to questions following a report in the Journal de Montreal about the government's stance.

There is no mention of banning the garments in the CAQ's online platform, but the party has played a role in it.

In 2016, the CAQ said it would "defend Quebec values" by banning the chador, unlike its rivals, the Liberals and the Parti Québécois.

Jolin-Barrette said it was too early to provide details and would be implemented.

Later on Wednesday, Legault a la loi de la prohibition religious des symbols is not a priority for the CAQ, which created some confusion about the issue.

"One important value is equality between men and women, so we want to protect that, now, is this a priority? No," he said.

'Surreal' debate

Montreal lawyer Shahad Salman, who wears a hijab, said she is talking about the new government – and the media – continues to focus on identity issues "rather than talking about real issues."

"It's so surreal that we're talking about this again, honestly," she said. Salman said such debates are counterproductive if politicians want to become more integrated into Quebec society.

As it stands, when it comes to minorities in Quebec's civil service, the percentage does not reflect the overall population.

Visible minorities made up 9.4 per cent of the province's public workforce in 2017, although they constitute 13 per cent of the overall population, according to a study by the Institute for Research and Socio-Economic Information,

The chador, which covers the head and body of the face, is a garment commonly worn in Iran. (Hasan Sarbakhshian / Associated Press)

The CAQ is planned by the civil society.

Charles Taylor, author of a landmark 2008 report on the accommodation of religious minorities in the province, called the proposal "either very ignorant or very intellectually dishonest."

In a recent interview, he pointed out that his report is usually against the teachers of religion.

"Taylor," Taylor said, "We're doing it to people only because we call it coercive authority."

Lacking 'coherent plan,' Liberals say

The CAQ won a decisive majority in the Quebec election earlier this month, beating out Philippe Couillard's Liberals.

Pierre Arcand, the interim leader for the Liberals, said the CAQ does not appear to have a "coherent plan" when it comes to religious symbols.

The new government appears to be a new balloon every day, he said.

Arcand said he would reserve how until a bill is tabled.

With files from Cathy Senay and Steve Rukavina