Quebec forces people to uncover faces to get government services – including riding a bus
Critics say the new ‘religious neutrality’ rule targets Muslim women
Quebec legislators passed a “religious neutrality” bill Wednesday that will oblige citizens to uncover their faces while giving and receiving state services, from catching a bus to sitting an exam, triggering criticism that the law targets Muslim women.
Quebec’s two main opposition parties opposed the bill because they argued it didn’t go far enough in restricting the presence of conspicuous symbols of all religions in the public sphere.
The new law has two basic components. It bans the wearing of face coverings for people giving or receiving a service from the state and it offers a framework outlining how authorities should grant accommodation requests based on religious beliefs. While the bill doesn’t specifically mention specific clothing, it would prohibit the full-face burka and eye-slit niqab when people interact with the state, but it doesn’t extend to other religious symbols.
Public services should be given and received with an open face. I speak to you, you speak to me. I see your face. You see mine. As simple as that
Premier Philippe Couillard said he expects some people to challenge the law, but he defended the legislation as necessary for reasons related to communication, identification and security.
“The principle to which I think a vast majority of Canadians by the way, not only Quebecers, would agree upon is that public services should be given and received with an open face,” he said. “I speak to you, you speak to me. I see your face. You see mine. As simple as that.”
Advocacy groups and academics have condemned the measure.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims said it is “studying its options” with regard to a possible court challenge.