The Parti Quebecois’s attempt to establish secularism of the state has ignited heated debates and passionate protests in a country that has pursued multiculturalism for more than 40 years.
The PQ’s proposed Charter of Values seeks to ban government sector employees and public servants from wearing “conspicuous” religious symbols.
The Multiculturalism Act mandates the federal and provincial governments of Canada to “recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society” and that all Canadians have the freedom to “preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage.”
“Canada is renowned worldwide as a strong democracy that allows vibrant multiculturalism and freedom of religion,” says Don Hutchinson, vice-president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Quebec Charter, he said, “will compromise the religious practices of several select communities.”
The Charter of Values undermines personal choice by forcing people to sacrifice their religious expression for gainful employment in the public sector.
This proposed legislation targets devout Canadians who believe wearing identifiable clothing such as a cross, kippa, turban, or hijab is an intrinsic expression of their faith and individualism.
Nouran al-Saafin, a devout Muslim woman, says she believes the Charter of Values is contradictory to its goal of establishing a neutral and diverse province.
“Most of the targeted people are the ones who are different, the ones who wear turbans or hijabs,” says al-Saafin. “Having a free and diverse society means everyone should be able to express themselves however they want. Putting limitations on how we dress so we all look the same won’t make everyone equal, because that’s limiting religion and beliefs.”
The right to practice a religion includes the right to display that religion. However, if the PQ were seriously committed to secularism, it would have to be evenly applied.
“If the Parti Quebecois is really trying to achieve a secular society, they would have to carefully think about what that means and what it would entail,” says Dr. Melanie Adrian, a law and legal studies professor at Carleton University.
“If this were truly the case, we would have to stop celebrating Saint’s days, remove the cross from the National Assembly, and stop swearing on the Bible in court. But that’s not the case, because all of these have exceptions, according to the Parti Quebecois, because they have a cultural, historical, or heritage legacy in Quebec,” she adds.
But this shouldn’t be the case. Freedom of religion, belief, and expression are essential Canadian values that make this country a strong democracy that promotes individual choice and freedom.
Multicultural nations, such as Canada, allow all voices to be heard, and all cultures to be seen, resulting in a flourishing populace where diversity is as strong as civil liberty.
Respect for human dignity is the only way to combat intolerance and prejudice. Personal freedom is the chief characteristic of a diverse society that guarantees individuality.