(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
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* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)