Quebec’s government has defended proposals to ban public sector employees from wearing religious symbols as a moderate measure.
Teachers, police officers, prosecutors and prison guards would among those banned from wearing kippot or the Muslim niqab under a bill tabled in the Canadian province’s assembly last week.
“Secularism is not contrary to freedom of religion,” Premier Francois Legault said, according to the National Post.
“Each can practice the religion of their choice. But we have to set rules, and that’s what we’re doing.”
The proposals would include a so-called “grandfather clause” that allows existing employees to keeping wearing religious symbols if they already wear them.
But any new workers in positions of authority would risk dismissal if they do not follow the ban.
Jewish groups said they were wary about the proposals.
“We are very concerned with the new Quebec government’s statements regarding a ban on religious symbols displayed by government officials and displayed in public institutions,” Harvey Levine, the Quebec regional director of B’nai Brith, told JTA.
He suggested the notion was “at odds” with Canadian values and said he called on political leaders “to avoid the slippery slope of diminishing fundamental rights and work instead to secure religious liberties for all Quebecers.”
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.