Friday, November 22, 2013

Letter affirming State secularism presented at the Quebec legislature

As he was reported previously, in August the ruling Government Parti Quebecois in the Canadian province of Quebec announced its intention to present a letter from Quebec secular values in the National Assembly.  Last Thursday he did so by introducing Bill 60, (full text) entitled letter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and equality between men and women and provide a framework for requests for accommodation.  This is an extract from the explanatory notes, summarizing the most important provisions of the Bill:

Public bodies must, in the pursuit of its mission, remain neutral in religious matters and reflect the secular character of the State. Consequently, obligations are established for the members of staff of public bodies in the exercise of their functions, including the obligation to remain neutral and exercise book in religious matters, among other things, compliance with the restriction of religious objects that openly indicate a religious affiliation. Thus, members of the staff of a public body must exercise its functions with his open face and persons who provide services must also have its open face to receive such services.  The same rules apply to other persons, in particular persons who exercise judicial functions, or judicial function within the administrative branch and members of the staff of the National Assembly.
Canadian Jewish Press reports on concerns that several Jewish organizations on the Bill, including the section 38 would allow the National Assembly to prevent that its members wear religious symbols.

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