Supreme Court to hear Quebec’s secularism law challenge in March 2026

Canada’s highest court will hear arguments on Quebec’s secularism law next spring, setting the stage for a national debate months before Quebecers head to the polls.

Quebec’s secularism law, known as Bill 21, bars certain public-sector employees in positions of authority, including teachers, from wearing religious symbols.

The legislation was adopted under a gag order by the Legault government and has been the subject of multiple legal challenges, including those filed by the English Montreal School Board, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement.

The federal government and several provinces have also signalled they will intervene, particularly on the question of Quebec’s pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause to shield the law from court challenges.

The Supreme Court of Canada has scheduled the hearings for March 23 to 27, 2026.