Rev. Diane Rollert from the Coalition Inclusion Quebec & Dr. Catherine Jarvis explain issues within Law 21, including the notwithstanding clause, the trials that have taken place for Law 21, sexism, Islamophobia and secularism.

Since Bill 21 became a law in the summer of 2019 – some public servants wearing a religious symbol, including but not limited to the hijab, niqab, kippa, and turban are barred from working in a government job.

Law 21 is not the first of its kind, as Bill 62, which banned those with face coverings from delivering or receiving public services, was put into effect in 2017 by the former provincial Liberal government. This law was suspended twice as a result of being in violation of the Quebec and Canadian charters. The former government did not decide to appeal this judgement and did not invoke the notwithstanding clause to push for Bill 62.

Premier François Legault and some supporters of Bill 21 aim to identify that this bill doesn’t intend to single out specific religions, but is the next step in modernizing the province, efforts that have been in place since the 1960s.

Diane and Catherine also discuss their work in challenging Law 21, their opinions on the federal government's response to this law, who this law mostly affects and the importance of this case. They also discuss what the process might look like after the judgement on the constitutionality of Law 21 from Justice Marc André Blanchard, this judgement will be released any day now to within the next few months. 

This interview is apart of episode 4 of Local 514, to watch the full episode click here.