Yes to turbans and hijabs
Quite sensibly, a Montreal councillor wants the city’s police force to alter its uniform code to allow Sikh men to wear turbans and Muslim women to wear hijabs while on duty. So many other forces across the country have already made this move that such a proposal shouldn’t generate controversy.
But this is Quebec, where the two-headed beast of racial and religious intolerance too often rears its ugly head. And there’s no shortage of politicians eager to inflame those sentiments for political benefit.
So when Montreal councillor Marvin Rotrand proposed the change, which would help attract more diverse recruits and build a police force that better reflects the community it serves, there was a danger it would revive a heated debate in the province.
That’s why Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante’s initial reaction was so welcome. “We know that other Canadian cities have done it, so I’m very open to the proposition,” she said.
That’s hardly a rousing call to action. But given what all too frequently passes for political rhetoric in Quebec on issues relating to what Muslim women choose to wear, it’s an excellent opening. She should go further and quickly.
Already the forces against it are gathering. François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec party weighed in first with outrage, saying “the police must not wear religious symbols.”
He promised to make it a ballot-box issue in the Oct. 1 provincial election, demonstrating his intent is to pander to voters’ worst instincts rather than, as he says, “resolve this question in a responsible manner once and for all.”
In truth, it has already been resolved by no less authority than the Supreme Court of Canada. More than two decades ago the court ruled in favour of the RCMP’s 1990 uniform change that allowed Sikh Mountie Baltej Singh Dhillon to trade in the traditional Stetson for a turban.
Still, not wanting to be left out, some members of the Parti Québécois also felt the need to jump in, noting they too want to ban “ostentatious religious signs.”
Quelle surprise. This is the province, let’s not forget, that brought us Bill 62, the face-covering law that purported to be about religious neutrality but really targeted a handful of niqab-wearing women.
In the face of all this, Plante and Rotrand stand out as brave voices of moderation and reason. But just raising the issue isn’t enough. More needs to be done to move this proposal forward, as was evidenced by the reaction of the Montreal police force.
A spokesperson there called it a “hypothetical” debate because no one has yet come forward asking for permission to wear turbans or hijabs. And, if someone did, the first place the force would start is with workplace health and safety.
Both statements are problematic. Why wait until someone comes forward and must fight just to be allowed to serve and protect others? That’s tolerating, not welcoming. A truly inclusive society welcomes others into the fold.
And in this case, health and safety concerns are certainly nothing but an excuse for delay.
Canada’s Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjan, served in the Vancouver police force with no ill effects from wearing a turban. He also served with distinction in the Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia and multiple tours in Afghanistan. Surely if he can navigate a war zone in a turban, police officers can safely patrol the streets of Montreal wearing a turban or hijab.
Police officers already do exactly that in other cities. Toronto police approved turbans for Sikh officers 30 years ago. The policy was extended to include hijabs for Muslim women in 2011, before there was even a public demand.
A Toronto police spokesperson explained why: “So we know that when we do have an officer who applies and is accepted into the service who is Muslim and wears the hijab that we are ready.”
Montreal should take a similar approach.
A proposal to include turbans and hijabs in the Montreal police uniform code may revive ugly forces of intolerance