Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his authorities gained’t wade into the authorized problem going down in Quebec over Invoice 21, the province’s legislation that bans sure authorities staff in positions of authority from sporting non secular symbols whereas at work.
At the least for now.
Trudeau mentioned that whereas he “deeply” disagrees with Invoice 21, he doesn’t wish to give Quebec cause to begin a combat with Ottawa.
“I feel the essential factor is the province handed the legislation and Quebecers are defending their rights by the authorized course of in Quebec,” mentioned Trudeau.
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Trudeau defined that it’s essential that within the first phases of the authorized problem that’s underway, Quebecers themselves present their disapproval of the controversial legislation however he didn’t conceal his personal opinion.
“I don’t discover that in a free and open society somebody ought to lose their job due to their faith and that is now not a theoretical subject,” Trudeau mentioned.
Trudeau’s remark comes days after a trainer in Chelsea, Qc misplaced her job as a result of she wears a hijab.
The information made waves within the political scene, prompting many Liberal ministers to harshly criticize Invoice 21.
“It’s cowardly,” mentioned Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller final week. Miller can also be a Montreal-area MP.
“Any such discrimination isn’t reflective of the Quebec society I wish to stay in.”
However nobody dedicated to pushing the federal authorities to combat the invoice in court docket.
The legislation has been the topic of authorized challenges led by civil rights teams and college boards and can seemingly find yourself within the Supreme Courtroom.
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Trudeau mentioned that whereas he plans to remain out of the combat for now, his authorities has not closed the door on the potential for intervening sooner or later in time.
Legault responded to the prime minister’s remark, saying individuals can nonetheless work so long as they take away their non secular indicators on the job and he doesn’t see how Ottawa may step in.
“I feel that Invoice 21 was voted democratically, was supported by the vast majority of Quebecers. I don’t see how the federal authorities can intervene in such a sensitive topic in our nation,” Legault mentioned.
Invoice 21 was handed on June 2019 with a vote of 73 to 35 at Quebec’s Nationwide Meeting.
In the meantime, a protest is deliberate for Tuesday towards the invoice. It’ll happen in entrance of the workplaces of Robert Bussière, the MNA answerable for Gatineau.
— with information from International Information’ Amanda Connolly, The Canadian Press
© 2021 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
