While turbans, kippas and hijabs would be banned, small crucifixes or other religious jewelry would continue to be permitted.
OTTAWA – The racist Quebecois politicians are intentionally hurting the sentiments of ethnic minorities with their divisive valueless charter and in the process becoming the laughing stock of the whole nation.
Many organizations including the World Sikh Organization of Canada expressed disappointment with Parti Quebecois’ announcement of its so-called “Charter of Quebec Values”, which is a complete disgrace in a multicultural nation.
The PQ Minister in charge of the charter, Bernard Drainville announced that the wearing of “overt” religious symbols would be banned for civil servants on the job.
While turbans, kippas and hijabs would be banned, small crucifixes or other religious jewelry would continue to be permitted.
Drainville also announced that some institutions and organization may be able to opt out of the ban for a five year period.
The proposed charter would affect members of the Sikh community who wear turbans. The turbans are an essential article of faith worn by observant Sikhs representing spirituality and also reinforcing the equality of men and women. Sikh men and women both cover their heads as a part of their faith.
WSO Vice President for Quebec Mukhbir Singh said, “the PQ’s charter is a distraction from the real issues facing Quebec. Rather than focussing on employment, health care and social services, the PQ is cynically targeting minorities. Sikhs have lived in Quebec for decades and have contributed to Quebecois society as physicians, teachers, professors, etc. What this proposal is doing is creating an atmosphere of intolerance in Quebec which will negatively affect Sikhs in Quebec as well as all minority groups.”
WSO President Prem Singh Vinning said, “while we all agree that religious neutrality is essential and that everyone must be treated equally, this charter puts people practicing their faith at a severe disadvantage. The ‘opt-out’ being offered by the PQ doesn’t make this charter any more acceptable as it puts minorities in the unacceptable position of having to go to different government institutions and organizations to plead to be allowed to work. If it becomes law, this charter will create two-tiered citizenship where people who practice their faith will be discriminated against by the state. That would be an unacceptable violation of Quebecois and Canadian human rights law.”
Politicians also came out against the charter.
NDP leader Tom Mulcair sent a clear message that his party will steadfastly continue to defend human rights, in reaction to the Parti Québécois’ proposed Charter of Values.
“Human rights are a fundamental principle in a democratic society. We don’t believe that this charter conforms to this value,” said Mulcair.
Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney and Minister of State for Multiculturalism Tim Uppal also came out against it.
“We will be asking the Department of Justice to review the final bill when it is available, and if it violates the constitutional protections to which all Canadians are entitled, such as freedom of religion, we will defend those rights vigorously,” said Kenney. “We are concerned by any proposal that limits the ability to practice one’s faith and be free from discrimination.”
“At the federal level, our job is to include Canadians into our society and our economy, whatever their background, their race, their ethnicity, their religion,” said Uppal. “Freedom of religion is a universal principle that is protected under Canada’s constitution.”
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) also condemned the measure as it strips targeted groups of Quebec citizens of the opportunity to seek or retain employment with the provincial government, potentially with municipal governments and, according to the minister responsible, he hopes private employers will follow suit.
“Premier Marois and government officials have claimed that such a ban treats all Quebeckers equally, and places them on equal footing, but that is not the case,” explains EFC President Bruce Clemenger. “The Charter of Values does not require most Christians to choose between religious observance – the practice requirements of their faith – and government employment as there is nothing distinctive about what we Christians, or secularists for that matter, wear. The proposal does mean that adherents of those faiths that do require the personal display of symbols or that specific headgear or other clothing be worn are being asked to choose between their religion and being a civil servant.”
