Bill 21: Quebec Court of Appeal decision coming Thursday
Posted February 27, 2024 2:34 pm.
Last Updated February 27, 2024 2:53 pm.
On Thursday, the Quebec Court of Appeal will rule on the constitutionality of the province’s secularism law – better known as Bill 21.
The law prohibits government employees in positions of authority – including teachers, judges, and police offices – from wearing religious symbols like a hijab, kippah, turban and crosses while on the job.
Three judges will deliver their decision on Feb. 29 at 2:15 pm.
The Quebec government and several opposition groups had appealed a lower court ruling that had largely upheld the ban on religious symbols for government employees in positions of authority, including teachers.
At the same time, Judge Marc-André Blanchard had exempted English-language school boards and elected members of the National Assembly.
Supporters and opponents of Bill 21 appealed the decision.
Once the Court of Appeal’s decision is known, the case could go all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Trudeau government previously announced its intention to participate in the Supreme Court challenge to Bill 21, a decision that angered Premier François Legault.
Federal Justice Minister David Lametti explained in May 2022 that this would be a national issue, which he felt justified federal intervention.
Outraged, François Legault denounced the Trudeau government’s “lack of respect for Quebecers.”
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
