Canada’s highest court agrees to hear arguments against Quebec secularism law

TRENTON, Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada said Thursday it will hear a challenge against the Quebec government’s law that forbids public servants from wearing religious symbols while performing their duties.

That includes a ban on the hijab, the Christian cross, turbans and the kippah. Muslim organizations have said Bill 21 unfairly targets Muslim women, particularly teachers, who wear the head scarf and it is contrary to freedom of religion, as some individuals must choose between their religion and their job.

The law is being challenged by six groups including the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Canadian Civil Liberties Union and the World Sikh Organization.

The Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF) was pleased the court would hear the challenge.

"While recognizing that the path ahead is still long and challenging, this decision offers a glimmer of hope for those who have been enduring the painful impacts of the law,” CFM said in a statement, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he is opposed to Bill 21, but has since resigned as the head of the Liberal Party and will step down as prime minister after a new leader is chosen.

The Quebec government said if Ottawa intervenes and argues against Bill 21 in court, it would be an insult to Quebec’s autonomy.

Quebec’s Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Jean-Francois Roberge, the secularism minister, issued a statement that said Quebec could defend the law that was passed in 2019, “until the end,” CBC reported.

Bill 21 has been challenged unsuccessfully in two lower courts.

The Supreme Court will likely hear the arguments in the fall.