Charter support drops, Quebecers divided on 'Values'

The PQ government provided this example of acceptable religious symbols for all government-paid employees, if its Charter of Quebec Values becomes law. (Sept. 10, 2013)

The Charter of Quebec Values which the Parti Quebecois had introduced with the idea it would unite Quebecers is having the opposite effect.

Two polls conducted in the week since the Charter was introduced show support for religious restrictions is dividing Quebecers.

A Leger poll released Monday shows 43 percent support the Charter, while 42 percent oppose the measure and 16 percent have no opinion.

A Forum Research poll showed 45 percent supported the Charter, while 49 disapproved and 6 percent were undecided.

The core idea of the Charter, restricting the wearing of religious icons by government employees, was supported by a slim majority of 51 percent according to Leger.

Last week a SOM poll, taken before the Charter was actually released, showed 66 percent of Quebecers were in favour of banning the wearing of religious symbols by government employees.

A Leger poll conducted in August had 57 percent supporting the idea, while a Forum poll showed support at 48 percent.

Urban-rural, anglo-franco divisions

The Leger poll shows the proposal to restrict the wearing of religious icons by public servants has created a split between urban and rural Quebecers, with those in Montreal and the Quebec city region mostly opposed to the idea, while those in rural, more ethnically homogeneous areas were more likely to support the measure.

Francophones were also more like to favour a ban on wearing religious items at work.

54 percent of Quebecers said they supported keeping the crucifix donated by the Catholic Church in 1936 in the National Assembly, while 38 percent thought it should be removed.

The only item that united Quebecers was the niqab. 90 percent told pollsters that people providing services on behalf of the government, or receiving services from the government, should be required to show their face.

Polls show increased support for PQ

The polls also show that the measure has increased support for the Parti Quebecois, but that the Liberals are still considered the best people to run the government.

Support for the PQ in the Leger poll rose to 33 percent, the highest that party has had since the elections in 2012.

A Forum poll conducted for the National Post and released over the weekend has similar results, with 42 percent favouring the Liberal party and 35 percent preferring the Parti Quebecois, with 12 percent in favour of the CAQ and 7% choosing QS.

The Forum poll would give the Liberal party a one-seat majority, while the Leger figures favour a Liberal goverment, but likely with a minority.

Support for the Charter was strongest among PQ supporters, while those who opposed it were more likely to vote Liberal.

CAQ supporters were split on the notion.

Leger poll Results

Do you support the Charter of Quebec Values?

Francophones were more likely to be in favour

Anglophones strongly disapproved

Regional breakdown

Montreal island

Western Quebec

Laurentians

South Shore

Central Quebec

Eastern Quebec

Quebec City region

Do you support banning government employes from wearing religious icons?

Should the crucifix remain in the National Assembly?

Should people be forced to show their face to provide or receive goverment services?

If elections were held today who would you vote for?

The Leger poll sampled 2000 people on Sept. 13 and 14, 2013 in an internet survey. The margin of error is 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.

Forum Research poll results

Should public servants be banned from wearing religious symbols?

Should the Charter proposal be extended to private employees?

Are you uncomfortable being served by a public servant wearing a turban, hijab or yarmulke?

The Forum Research poll surveyed 1,179 Quebecers, and the margin of error s 3% 19 times out of 20.