10 June 2015

Quebec tables new religious neutrality bill banning face coverings

Quebec is again taking steps aimed at barring public servants from wearing face-covering religious garments at work, and preventing members of the public from covering their faces while receiving government services.

However, Bill 62 – the neutrality bill tabled Wednesday in the National Assembly – doesn't go as far as the previous Parti Québécois government's efforts to ban all religious symbols.The province would accommodate those symbols under certain conditions.

"We don't judge people for their beliefs or absence of beliefs," said Quebec Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée.

"We are convinced the way we are approaching this is respectful and will be a plus for society." [CBC/Radio-Canada] Read more