A move to restrict religious-related clothing in Quebec is raising concerns here at home.
The Quebec government is proposing a ban on public servants, including teachers, doctors and nurses, from wearing large crucifixes, turbans and hijabs.
“I am somewhat offended that the government would state what their (public’s) values are,” said Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP. “As a person of faith, no one should be concerned about anyone expressing their faith in a public setting no matter the faith.”
The Quebec government has stated the goal of its charter of values is to clarify the religious neutrality of the state. However, the proposed legislation has come under attack as being discriminatory. Officials with the federal government in Ottawa have indicated they will challenge the legislation legally if it is considered to go against the Canadian constitution.
Mayes wouldn’t say if he would support his government’s challenge because the issue has not been discussed by the Conservative caucus. Instead, he believes any challenge of the legislation should come from Quebecers themselves.
“They can do that through the ballot box or the courts,” he said.