HomeMy WebLinkAboutFrançois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - Globe & Mail - 10/02/2018 - Globe & Mail - 10/02/201810/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban
religious symbols for civil servants
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Francois Legault, the premier -designate of Quebec, says he will invoke the
notwithstanding clause to work around the Charter of Rights and Freedoms so that
his government can ban people in positions of authority in the province from
wearing religious symbols.
The Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) Leader said on Tuesday the plan would prevent
public servants, including teachers, police officers and judges, from wearing
religious garments such as the Muslim hijab and Jewish kippa while performing
their public functions. He would also amend Quebec's charter of rights to impose the
ban, which is long-standing party policy, but barely came up on the campaign trail.
It is the second time in a month that a provincial leader has announced his intention
to invoke the rarely used clause to override court rulings. Ontario Premier Doug Ford
had planned to use the power to pass legislation that would cut the size of Toronto
city council weeks before a civic election, but an appeal court stayed a ruling that
the bill was unconstitutional.
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
In his first news conference since his party was elected to government on Monday
night, Mr. Legault justified the move to override any successful court challenge and
the Canadian Charter's protection of religious freedom. He said his government will
have a transition period in which people who want to continue wearing religious
symbols will be offered alternative jobs.
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
Mr. Legault avoided getting into detail on most issues during the 35 -minute news
conference. He said his priorities remain putting money back into the pockets of
Quebeckers and improving the health and education systems.
Mr. Legault was peppered with questions about his plans, and indicated he will take
a go-slow approach on many. Promises to introduce junior kindergarten, to cut
specialists' salaries and to cut taxes and fees and increase child benefits will be
subject to study and deliberation. He was more resolute on the religious -garment
ban and his plan to cut immigration to the province by 20 per cent in 2019.
He said he spoke to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday night about the need
to protect Quebec dairy farmers from the fallout of the proposed new trade
agreement with the United States and Mexico. He said on that, too, he will need
more information before deciding on next steps.
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in British Columbia, Mr. Trudeau said he is
looking forward to working with Mr. Legault on immigration and issues such as job
creation, economic growth and climate change.
"There's a lot of conversations to be had, and I'm sure we will have disagreements
from time to time, but we will do so in a constructive way that serves the citizens
that have entrusted us with responsibilities," Mr. Trudeau said.
The Ontario Premier spoke to Mr. Legault on Monday night. "He's a great guy, I
really like him," Mr. Ford told reporters at Queen's Park. "We share a lot of the same
thoughts. He wants to cut red tape and regulation. He wants to lower taxes. We
really hit it off _ _ _ anal Fm nuite exciters to meet him_"
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
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rest of Canada of my will to build a stronger Quebec within Canada, in a win-win
relationship," he said. Change will come, but in an orderly manner, he said.
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Mr. Legault, who will likely be sworn in before the end of the month, took his
inspiration for the ban on religious symbols from a report issued 10 years ago by
philosopher Charles Taylor and sociologist Gerard Bouchard on the accommodation
of cultural practices in the province.
The report suggested public servants in "coercive functions" should not be allowed
to wear religious symbols. (Dr. Taylor has since renounced that view.)
With reports from Laura Stone and The Canadian Press
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
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10/3/2018 Francois Legault to use notwithstanding clause to ban religious symbols for civil servants - The Globe and Mail
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