Quebec bill would extend religious symbols ban to school support workers, force students to uncover faces

The Quebec government is introducing a new bill that seeks to expand the province’s ban on the wearing of religious symbols for support staff in schools, as well as prohibit students from covering their faces while on school premises.

Under the proposed legislation, the ban on religious symbols would now apply to all staff members in public schools and school service centers, not just limited to teachers and principals as outlined in the previous Bill 21. This move comes amid a legal challenge at the Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of Bill 21.

The bill would impact Muslim women who wear headscarves and provide care to students in before and after-school programs. A grandfather clause is included in the legislation for staff members who were already in their positions prior to the implementation of the ban.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville emphasized that the aim of the bill is to reinforce secularism in Quebec, especially in light of reported incidents involving religious issues within schools. He stressed the importance of Quebec values and the separation of state and religion, stating that public schools must remain free from religious influences.

In addition to the ban on religious symbols, the legislation also includes a provision that prohibits students from wearing full face veils while on school premises. The explanatory notes of the bill state that students are required to have their faces uncovered while at school, vocational training centers, adult education centers, or private educational institutions. The same rule applies to parents picking up their children from school.

The exact number of students and staff members who would be affected by these new regulations is not yet clear. However, Drainville emphasized that the principle behind the ban is what matters most, rather than the specific numbers.

A recent report highlighted difficulties in maintaining a secular environment in 17 schools, with one instance of a student wearing a full-face veil being cited. To ensure compliance with the new regulations, teachers will be subject to an annual review process. The bill mandates teachers to submit instructional plans to the school principal and requires an annual evaluation of their performance.

The proposed legislation reflects the Quebec government’s commitment to upholding secularism in public schools and promoting a religiously neutral environment for both staff and students. The bill aligns with the government’s vision of a society where state institutions are separate from religious influences, further emphasizing the importance of Quebec’s values and principles.