Academic changes opinion as to ban on religious symbols for public servants
‘Don’t open the wounds again,’ professor writes
Ten years after signing a report that called for a ban on religious symbols worn by public servants in positions of “coercive” authority, McGill University philosophy professor Charles Taylor says times have changed — and Quebecers along with them — and he no longer endorses the recommendation.
The news was welcomed by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard on Tuesday.
“It allows me to observe that when one has principles, one must hold on to them,” the premier said.
In an open letter published Tuesday in La Presse, Taylor, who with sociologist Gérard Bouchard co- chaired a commission on reasonable accommodation of cultural communities in Quebec, wrote that his support for the measure was never more than qualified, but added that, at the time, “to not impose these restrictions would have shocked public opinion to the point of jeopardizing our proposal for open secularism.”
Taylor writes that “things have very much changed since then, and that’s more than just my opinion.”
Taylor contends while the recommendation originally focused on those responsible for “the domain of crime and punishment and . . . those who decide ( criminal) convictions and sentencing” such as police and judges, the definition of public servants in positions of authority has since been extended “almost infinitely, to the point of including teachers and daycare workers, which is something we had not at all envisioned.”
He also cites the controversy over the charter of “Quebec values” as having created the “stigmatization” of sectors of Quebec society, particularly the Islamic community, and blames the controversy for attacks ranging from hateful comments to physical assault on Muslims wearing a veil.
However, Taylor, recalling last month’s deadly attack on a Quebec City mosque, notes the incident was followed by “a veritable explosion of solidarity and mutual acknowledgment between Quebecers of all origins. We are beginning to overcome the divisions ... to mend the tears in our social fabric, the cleavages that have been caused, by other things, the debates of the last few years.
“I feel we cannot afford the luxury of new measures that would renew that effect of stigmatization, however good the intentions of those who would defend them. Don’t open t he wounds again. Let’s make full room for reconciliation.”
Taylor, noting he’s making a personal judgment that could be challenged, writes that he understands the “temptation to find a ‘compromise’ ( on religious symbols) that could unite the parties in the National Assembly” and appeal to “old stock” Quebecers.
“But from now on, the new ‘ we’ in Quebec is much larger ... the days when a part of our society, even the majority, can act without considering its marginalized minorities is past.”
Taylor’s appeal comes as the Couillard government is considering Bill 62, which would forbid public services being given or received by someone whose face is covered. Opposition parties cited the recommendation of the Bouchard-Taylor commission in their support of the bill.