• Quebec

    From Sean Dennis@618:618/1 to All on Fri Dec 5 11:54:35 2025
    (Considering how much Quebec hates the Catholic Church, it looks to me
    like they're using Muslims as a scapegoat to get at Christians in
    general.)

    From: https://shorturl.at/5Uw15 (dailycaller.com)

    ===
    Quebec Moves To Ban Public Religious Expression

    Derek VanBuskirk Reporter
    December 04, 2025 10:25 AM ET

    Officials in Quebec, a Canadian province, introduced a bill that
    restricts most forms of religious expression in public places and
    universities, while limiting the religious accommodations private
    businesses can offer.

    Lawmakers introduced Bill No. 9, "An Act respecting the reinforcement of
    laicity in Qu‚bec," on Thursday to reinforce Bill 21 (the Act respecting
    the laicity of the State), which was passed in 2019.

    Bill 21 prohibited public sector workers - such as teachers, police
    officers and judges - from wearing religious symbols and covering their
    faces at work.

    Bill 9 expands on Bill 21 by extending those regulations to a wide range
    of public and partially-funded institutions, including jobs in childcare
    centers, subsidized private schools and private health institutions under
    agreement.

    Students in higher education institutions and childcare services must also
    have their faces uncovered when receiving services, according to the
    legislation.

    A majority of the debate centers around Bill 9 relate to how the law will
    affect Muslims, as many Muslim women wear hijabs or burqas. However, these
    restrictions could also restrict Christians, Jews and other religious
    groups.

    The regulation of religious symbols affects employees in the newly
    targeted roles who wear religious symbols such as kippahs and visible
    crucifixes. The bill also bans the use of public parks and roads "for the
    purposes of collective religious practice without the authorization of the
    municipality," the legislation states.

    Sponsor of the Bill and Secularism Minister Jean-Francois Roberge
    said Thursday that regulations on public prayer were a reaction to
    groups praying at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, according to the
    BBC.

    "It's shocking to see people blocking traffic, taking possession of
    the public space without a permit, without warning, and then turning
    our streets, our parks, our public squares into places of worship,"
    Roberge continued.

    This portion of the bill may primarily affect Islamic mass prayers, but
    the act's stated goal of "Religious Neutrality" enables these laws to
    potentially affect other modes of worship, such as outdoor communal
    prayers, worship services and the celebration of religious holidays
    without a permit.

    The bill also prohibits such institutions or organizations from
    exclusively offering a diet based on a religious precept or tradition
    (such as Halal or Kosher) in a catering service, according to the CBC.

    Bill 9 would also phase out public funding of religious private schools
    that teach religious material, or select students or teachers based on
    their religion, the outlet reported.

    The standard for accommodations in Quebec is currently the Canadian legal
    standard of "undue hardship," but Bill 9 cites the lower standard of "more
    than minimal hardship," which could make it easier for certain workplaces
    to deny accommodation requests.

    In specific work settings, this could mean stricter dress codes
    (restricting religious clothing and symbols) and fewer accommodations for
    dietary restrictions.

    Bill 9 acknowledges that it attempts to override portions of the Canadian
    and provincial constitutions by enacting the notwithstanding clause, the
    BBC reported. The clause is a provision within the Constitution Act, 1982
    that allows the government to temporarily shield a law from being struck
    down for violating fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter.

    The legislature unanimously adopted the motion to introduce Bill 9 with 92
    votes in favor. The bill will now be reviewed by a committee for detailed
    study and amendments before proceeding to the floor for debate and a final
    vote on the bill's adoption, according to Quebec's legislative
    process.

    Roberge has not responded to the Daily Caller's request to comment by the
    time of publication.
    ===

    -- Sean

    ... "God is dead." -Nietzsche "Nietzsche is dead." -God
    --- MultiMail/Win
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)