http://youtu.be/JbVXHGmnlvw
New legislative action in La Belle Province could cause another rift and alienation within Canadian society. The Charter of Quebec Values is a planned charter by the current Parti Québécois government. A similar situation occurred in the beginning of the summer. With the Premier’s blessing, the Quebec soccer authority banned turbans from all official soccer tournaments. This caused outrage and debate on a national level. Along with external pressure, the ban was lifted and most Canadians thought this was the last act of identity conflicts in Canada.
Then came along the Charter of Quebec Values. This makes that little soccer ban a walk in the park compared to what would come later along the year. Under the leadership of Pauline Marois and the Quebec Minister of Democratic Institutes, Bernard Drainville, the Charter would make sweeping changes to Quebec society.
In an essence, the Charter would ban all public employees from wearing oversized or visible religious clothings in respect to secularism. This type of secularism rings to the French version of secularism, laïcité. Laïcité roughly translates into secularism, but also doesn’t considering that it holds stronger value. Laïcité believes in pure separation between church and state, meaning, government cannot support anything religiously related such as religious schools or expression in governmental offices.
Many see parallels to the ban of religious garments in France to the situation of Quebec. But unlike France where there was unanimous support from the public, the division for those in favour to such a law and those against are much stiff and rigid. A division begins to take place within Canada. A division that hasn’t been seen since the Quebec 1995 referendum.
What truly causes issues with most people is the importance of these religious garments. Many religious clothing such as a crucifix, a turban, and a hijab aren’t always optional for many religions. There is an obligation that must be fulfilled by certain religions. The relation with the clothing extends to oneself but goes to the connection with someone and their God. For many people who choose to wear these religious garments, it begins to define them. They begin to identify with the pieces of cloth. For many, forcing someone to remove their religious garment is like forcing them to relinquish their culture or skin colour.
Public support for secularism is unanimous throughout Canada. Many people, religious and non religious, strongly believe that secularism in Canada is essential to Canada’s state of freedom and strengthens Canada’s multicultural identity. Without a state religion, people are free to practise whatever faith they choose. Though, what the Charter of Quebec Values, it suggests that the government must extend the secularism not just to the institutions, but also the individual.
In this five part series, I will explore the Charter of Quebec Values from the roots of conception to the future of the province and Canadian multiculturalism. Look for part 2 tomorrow.
Sources:
CBC News Government of Quebec CBC News