Quebec debates civil servant ban on religious garb

Quebec’s public sector employees – including at hospitals and schools – may be forced to abandon head scarves, turbans, crucifixes and other religious apparel and symbols, if a controversial proposal passes.

A report by Agence France Presse said the province has been working up changes for its “charter of values.”

The government says its proposal aims to reaffirm “the principle of religious neutrality in state institutions.”

Press reports said the move includes a ban on religious symbols among public sector, and semi-public sector, workers.

“One of the responsibilities” of these workers “is to be neutral,” the minister in charge of the issue, Bernard Drainville, was quoted as saying.

“The best way to protect the right to equality is by neutrality. The best way to respect the right of all religions is for the state to not have any religion,” he said.

Sources

AFP/France 24

Al Jazeera

Image: France 24

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