Secularism in schools: Drainville tables amendments to strengthen his bill

Education Minister Bernard Drainville during question period on May 6, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissino)

A home-schooled child will lose their services if they or their parent refuses to uncover their face in the presence of a representative of the school or school service centre (CSS).

On Thursday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville tabled several amendments to strengthen his Bill 94 on secularism in schools.

This piece of legislation extends the obligation to have one’s face uncovered at all times to all public and private schools, whether subsidized or not, for both students and staff.

It also imposes this obligation on children who are home-schooled and their parents when receiving any service from the SSC.

On Thursday, Drainville indicated that he was adding a penalty: refusal by a student or parent to comply will result in the loss of services.

For example, a child who requires the services of a remedial teacher would be deprived of them as long as they or their parent refuses to uncover their face completely, explained Drainville’s office.

As the detailed study of Bill 94 began on Thursday, Québec Solidaire MNA Sol Zanetti accused the CAQ government of “dividing society.” “This is a bill that promotes social exclusion,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 5, 2025.