Canada's Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Quebec's controversial secularism law, known as Bill 21, which bans certain public workers from wearing religious symbols. The law, enacted in 2019, prohibits judges, police officers, prison guards, and teachers from wearing symbols such as kippahs, turbans, and hijabs while on duty. Other public workers, including bus drivers and doctors, must keep their faces uncovered.
Critics argue the law disproportionately affects Muslim women who wear the hijab. The Quebec government has defended the legislation, invoking the 'notwithstanding clause' to override parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The province's justice minister stated that defending the law is 'vital for Quebec to make its own choices' reflecting its distinct social values.
The federal government has now intervened in the case, with Justice Minister Arif Virani expressing 'significant concerns' about the use of the notwithstanding clause. He said the government would defend the charter. Religious minority groups welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, with the Canadian Muslim Forum calling it a 'glimmer of hope' for those affected by the law.
The Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing, but it is expected to take place in the autumn. The case follows two previous victories for Quebec in lower courts, which upheld the law's validity.
