Some surprises of the Charter of secularism in Quebec After several months of debate in the public and in the media, Marois government finally officially filed its draft charter of secularism . First known as the Charter of values, the document was eventually renamed Charter affirming the values of secularism and religious neutrality of the state and equality between women and men and the governing accommodation requests . If most of the elements are already known for several weeks, the document still some surprises in store. Here they are. The Charter applies to all, no possibility to evade Well, almost. The original plan provided for a right of withdrawal. Several organizations and municipalities, including Montreal, planned to use it. This right of withdrawal is not found in the bill. An initial transition period of one year is provided for all. Subsequently, municipalities, higher education institutions can obtain a five-year extension. Then, all public bodies must apply, except hospitals and CLSC, which can obtain a renewable exemption. During a press conference, Minister Bernard Drainville conceded that this provision can be applied including the Jewish General Hospital (Montreal Jewish Hospital). To be eligible, an organization must demonstrate that the religious dimension is part of the history of the institution and the conditions of its creation, it is taking steps to achieve the measures established by the Charter and that the application of it would affect the continuation of the mission of the institution and the provision of its services. In other words, there will be no new settlements in health denominational. No time for new employees Despite the planned transition period, the new rules will apply immediately to new employees. The National Assembly will decide if a member can wear a religious symbol This is the Office of the National Assembly which will decide if a member can carry a conspicuous sign. Thus, even if a majority of voters vote for a turbaned Sikh member, for example, the National Assembly could force it to remove this sign of faith. Doctors also The Charter also applies to doctors, even if they are not employees of the State. They are under the law, said Bernard Drainville in briefing. The Crucifix If the Office of the National Assembly in favor of the removal of the crucifix from the Blue Room, the PQ will be favorable. This is a turnaround: the unveiling of the project in early fall, the PQ wished to retain the crucifix mounted above the seat of the President of the Assembly. The government argued that the crucifix was an object of heritage. The Charter could apply to private companies When awarding a contract, a public body may require the application of the Charter to a person or a private company, if the circumstances warrant. But it does not apply to spiritual leaders Officials of a spiritual care are not covered by the Charter. Thus, pastors and other religious representatives who work in public institutions such as detention centers, are exempt. The same goes for teachers during a religious nature in higher education, such as colleges and universities. Reasonable accommodations for students Students in primary and secondary education can obtain a reasonable accommodation if the request meets the following conditions: the compulsory school attendance, educational systems established by the government, the educational project of the school, the mission of the school is to educate, socialize and qualify students in the principle of equal opportunities, while enabling them to undertake and successfully complete a course of study, the ability of the institution to provide students with the educational services provided by law. However, a student may not request that the teacher covers her face and wearing a conspicuous sign to teach the course. No halal or kosher food in daycares The CPE and daycares will not accept children based learning of religious belief and activities may promote learning of the precepts of religion. These organizations can not either serve halal or kosher food since the Charter prohibits any activity or repeated practice that has its origins in a religious precept, especially in relation to food, [...] if it has goal, by words or actions, to bring the child to the learning of this precept. These provisions also apply for subsidized child care in the home. quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/07/quelques-surprises-de-la-charte-de-la-laicite_n_4234928.html
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:32:08 +0000
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