Rumors Swirl about Quebec Planning Exemptions to Controversial Secular Charter

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Several sources have reported that the highly criticized secular charter of Quebec, which aims at banning government workers to wear visible religious symbols on the job, is now being considered to include exemptions aimed at easing the passage of the controversial proposal. The Premier of Quebec, Pauline Marois, was consistently criticized last week for her attempt to justify the Charter of Quebec Values, expected to be rolled out on Tuesday, by attacking multiculturalism and proposing a link to homegrown terrorism in England.

Even though Premier Marois has dissociated herself from the comment over the weekend, her party seems pretty adamant on promoting secularism and religious neutrality in public institutions. Despite that, the party is attempting to demonstrate “flexibility,” as several sources say PQ has decided to provide a five-year exemption clause for municipalities, hospitals and postsecondary institutions that wish to allow their employees to continue wearing religious symbols on the job. A government official is reported to have said that “we want to show some flexibility,” and “if they need more time to transition toward greater neutrality, we can understand and be flexible.”

However, it was clarified that no exemptions will be allowed to workers in subsidized daycare facilities and the province’s primary and secondary schools, as it was stated that “we don’t want children exposed to religious influences in the public sphere. That is a choice that belongs to parents.” The government source have added that the rules will not prevent government workers from wearing a pendant or earrings with a small cross, a Star of David or a star and crescent, “as long as it is worn discreetly.”