The offices of the English Montreal School Board are seen Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, in Montreal. The English Montreal School Board says it will seek permission to appeal a recent decision on Quebec's secularism law to the Supreme Court of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Quebec's Justice Minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette, asserts his commitment to defending the province's secularism law after the English Montreal School Board announced its intention to seek permission to appeal a decision upholding the law to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Jolin-Barrette reaffirmed his stance on Thursday, emphasizing Quebec's dedication to upholding the separation of state and religion. He firmly stated that the province would not compromise on secularism, asserting that the state and religions remain distinct in Quebec.
The Quebec Court of Appeal recently upheld the constitutionality of Bill 21, which prohibits public sector workers, including judges and teachers, from wearing religious symbols while on duty. This decision overturned a lower court ruling that had granted English school boards exemptions from certain aspects of the law. The English Montreal School Board had contested the law, arguing that it infringed upon minority language rights and gender equality provisions outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Initially, the school board had achieved success in securing exemptions from certain provisions of Bill 21 in a ruling from April 2021. However, Quebec's highest court later overturned this decision.
In response to the school board's challenge, the federal government expressed its intent to participate in a Supreme Court appeal against the law.
Jolin-Barrette urged the federal government to refrain from intervening in Quebec's affairs, asserting that matters concerning secularism were within the jurisdiction of the Quebec National Assembly. He emphasized the importance of respecting Quebecers and their legislative decisions, whether pertaining to secularism or immigration, which have been contentious issues between Quebec and Ottawa in recent times.
Meanwhile, the English Montreal School Board announced that its council of commissioners had voted to authorize a law firm to file an application seeking permission to appeal the Quebec Court of Appeal's decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. The board reiterated its belief that Bill 21 contradicts its values, mission, and those of Quebecers as enshrined in the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Joe Ortona, chairman of the board, emphasized that the adoption of Bill 21 ran counter to Quebec's goal of promoting peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic society.
In summary, Quebec's Justice Minister stands firm in his defense of the province's secularism law following the English Montreal School Board's decision to pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The legal battle underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between secularism and individual rights in Quebec's public sphere.
