Justice Minister David Lametti says if the challenge to Quebec’s Bill 21 arrives at the country’s top court, it will be ‘a national issue’
The federal government will participate in a challenge of Quebec’s controversial religious symbols law, known as Bill 21, should the case end up at the Supreme Court, Justice Minister David Lametti said Wednesday, prompting swift pushback from Quebec’s Premier.
Bill 21 bans public-sector workers who are deemed to be in positions of authority – including teachers, judges and police officers – from wearing religious symbols, such as crosses, hijabs and turbans, on the job. It was passed in June, 2019. Mr. Legault took immediate issue with Mr. Lametti’s remarks on Wednesday given that the Quebec Court of Appeal has not ruled on the case. He told reporters in Quebec City the Trudeau government has shown a “flagrant lack of respect for Quebeckers,” adding that “we know that the majority of Quebeckers agree with Bill 21.”
“This is a matter that matters to all Canadians, regardless of which part of the country they live in,” Mr. Trudeau said in Saskatoon on Wednesday. “This government will continue to be here to defend people’s fundamental rights and freedoms.”
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