CAQ members want to ban people from covering their faces in public in Quebec

CAQ party members want to ban people from covering their faces in public spaces, but the Legault government has not confirmed that it will follow through with the proposal.

At their convention in Gatineau on Saturday, delegates from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) strengthened a proposal that initially aimed to ban demonstrations with masked faces.

But in their desire to impose secularism in public spaces, a youth wing activist tabled an amendment to extend the ban on face coverings at all times.

“Beyond the issue of security, it is also a matter of principle,” argued Saint-François youth wing delegate Benjamin Archambault. “In a free and egalitarian society, we cannot accept that some women are hidden behind a full veil that covers everything but their eyes. We already require uncovered faces to obtain a passport, take an exam or drive. Why should we make an exception in public spaces?”

The amendment was passed by a narrow margin, 152 to 150, and the minister responsible for secularism, Jean-François Roberge, even voted in favour of it.

Just before, at the microphone, he had suggested that it was “normal to ask the question”, whether for “security” or “living together”.

In a news scrum after the debate, he suggested that the government should discuss it and also consider the legal consequences.

“There is a question of living together,” said Roberge. “We look at each other, we know each other, communication is not only through words, so there is a question of interaction. That said, it raises issues that must be seriously studied from the point of view of rights and freedoms.”

But what exactly is the issue, the problem, with women wearing the veil?

“Your question is interesting. If I had the answer, I would give it to you today,” said Roberge.

He acknowledged in the same breath that exceptions should be allowed if a law were ever to be passed.

“I understand that there are all kinds of situations where it is legitimate to cover one’s face,” he admitted, citing the cases of welders, riot police, Halloween, certain festivals, weather conditions, etc.

However, it is still “far too early” to confirm that the ban on covering one’s face in public spaces will be included in the future bill, which is intended to strengthen secularism and prohibit prayers in the streets, said Roberge.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews