Opposition to the Quebec Charter of Values continues to grow across the province, as several towns and universities say they will refuse to implement the proposed ban on religious clothing and symbols.
The council of Hampstead – a suburb of Montreal – passed a unanimous resolution Monday saying the town will simply defy the charter if it becomes law.
“If it becomes a law, we are not going to tell people that they can’t work for the town because they wear a kippah, hijab or a turban or any other religious symbol,” Hampstead Mayor William Steinberg told CTV News Channel.
In the strongly-worded resolution, Steinberg said the town will not be “complicit with hatred, racism and intolerance.”
He says the “immoral” charter goes against human rights, and is “tyranny of the majority against the minority.”
And while Quebec Premier Pauline Marois said the proposed legislation is necessary to ensure “harmony”in the province, Steinberg says there are no existing problems or barriers.
“No one has ever said ‘I don’t want to be seen by a competent doctor that’s wearing a kippah or a turban.’ People want good quality people,” he said.
Instead of promoting harmony, Steinberg fears the charter will only divide Quebec citizens.
“People who have strongly-held religious beliefs, and who must wear these symbols, people who do this are not going to be able to work so they’ll be kept at home and I don’t think this leads to integration.”
The values charter was tabled by the minority Parti Quebecois in early November, and the party has threatened to trigger an election over the legislation by making the eventual vote a matter of confidence.
Cote Saint-Luc residents take a stand
Meanwhile, in another Montreal suburb, Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather earlier this week called on residents to gather in front of that town’s city hall -- a bid to unite the town’s Christian and Jewish communities.
“I just think the law is so odious and I think that my residents were getting nervous,” Housefather told CTV Montreal. “They were getting upset, some of them, even telling me they were considering leaving Quebec because they’re made to feel unwelcome here.”
The Monday event started with lighting rituals, including the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and menorah.
“What a beautiful occasion to have these mixed faiths gather to celebrate,” said Father Peter Laviolette, who took part in the ceremony.
Residents of Hampstead and the suburb of Montreal West were also invited to attend the Cote Saint-Luc ceremony.
Institutions slam charter
Additionally, two francophone universities have joined the anti-charter movement.
Sherbrooke University rector Luce Samoisette told Montreal newspaper Le Devoir that the Charter would lead to nonsensical double standards. And the University of Montreal voted on a measure saying if passed, the Charter should not be applied on school grounds.
McGill University, the English Montreal School Board and the Jewish General Hospital have also come out against the ban on religious wear.
With a report from CTV Montreal's Cindy Sherwin
