A shame ful day for Quebec
Premier François Legault has suggested that the passage of Bill 21 by the National Assembly will restore Quebecers’ pride.
That’s an astounding statement, on many levels.
To start with, Legault couldn’t have been thinking of the Quebecers whose religious freedoms his government has just constrained needlessly. Few among them will be feeling a pride in their province today. More likely, they will be feeling deep sadness and disappointment, even a sense of betrayal. No longer is speaking French enough to be able to participate fully in this society. Nor will acquitting one’s professional duties with proper neutrality be sufficient. Now, conformity in appearance will also be required. Those whose practice of religion includes the wearing of so-called religious symbols will effectively be barred from certain public-sector jobs.
And, what exactly does Legault think Quebecers should be proud of?
Of his government’s passage of a law whose use of the notwithstanding clause to override federal and Quebec charter rights testifies to its abusive nature?
Of its invoking closure to ram this bill through the National Assembly Sunday, along with his deeply flawed immigration bill?
Of its passing a “religious neutrality” law that is anything but religiously neutral?
Of its plowing ahead over the objections of the province’s largest city, its largest women’s group, teachers’ unions, and an array of other civil society groups?
Of succumbing to unfounded fears that Muslims will impose their religion on other Quebecers? (Let’s not pretend otherwise: This law may apply to all religious symbols, but it is aimed squarely at hijabs.)
No, there is no reason for pride, neither in Bill 21, nor in the high-handed way in which it was adopted. Rather, this toxic new law brings only shame and apprehension.
And rather than lowering tensions and bridging divisions, as Legault suggests, it has increased them, and will continue to do so. It will complicate, not promote, the integration of minorities.
Legault evidently now hopes to turn the page. He has said he doesn’t think any future government will want to reopen this debate. However, the notwithstanding clause’s five-year sunset provision ensures otherwise.
Turning the page will also be made more difficult by the stealthy last-minute amendments slipped in by his government, beefing up enforcement provisions and adding that “all persons have the right to parliamentary, governmental and judicial services as well as public services that are secular.”
That ambiguous provision is apt to sow even more confusion, division and contestation. Some might see it as enlarging the bill’s application to include a broader range of government employees.
Opponents of the bill can take heart from the Liberal and Québec solidaire MNAs who spoke out steadfastly for an inclusive Quebec: Pierre Arcand, Hélène David, Sol Zanetti, among others. One can only hope — even pray — that this odious law will one day be reversed as a more open and less defensive generation comes of age, unscarred by the powerful role played by religion in Quebec’s past.
In the meantime, though, the CAQ government plans to eliminate school boards — important community institutions that are essential to the exercise of minority education rights — and to bring in a new voting system that would be likely to leave members of minorities with even less political influence than they have now.
Minorities in Quebec are in for rough days.