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| Quebec politician proposes government ban on religious headwear | Quebec politician proposes government ban on religious headwear |
| (7 days later) | |
| Quebec is proposing a law that would forbid government workers from wearing religious headwear such as hijabs, turbans, and kippas. | Quebec is proposing a law that would forbid government workers from wearing religious headwear such as hijabs, turbans, and kippas. |
| The separatist Parti Québécois government said Tuesday the so-called "values charter" will be introduced for debate later this year. | The separatist Parti Québécois government said Tuesday the so-called "values charter" will be introduced for debate later this year. |
| The plan has revived a debate in Quebec over religious accommodation and has been widely criticized in the rest of Canada. | The plan has revived a debate in Quebec over religious accommodation and has been widely criticized in the rest of Canada. |
| Bernard Drainville, the minister responsible for the proposal, says the goal is to ensure the complete neutrality of the state on religion. | Bernard Drainville, the minister responsible for the proposal, says the goal is to ensure the complete neutrality of the state on religion. |
| The ban would apply to every public worker, including teachers and police. It would not apply to elected officials because people have a right to choose their representative, Drainville said. | The ban would apply to every public worker, including teachers and police. It would not apply to elected officials because people have a right to choose their representative, Drainville said. |
| Smaller religious symbols, such as a Christian cross on a necklace or the Star of David on a ring, will be allowed. | Smaller religious symbols, such as a Christian cross on a necklace or the Star of David on a ring, will be allowed. |
| The federal government has said it will seek the advice of the Department of Justice and suggested it could go to court if the proposal violates fundamental rights. | The federal government has said it will seek the advice of the Department of Justice and suggested it could go to court if the proposal violates fundamental rights. |
Kathy Malas, a Montreal speech-language pathologist who wears a headscarf, said she has no plans to stop working or take it off if the charter becomes law. | Kathy Malas, a Montreal speech-language pathologist who wears a headscarf, said she has no plans to stop working or take it off if the charter becomes law. |
| "I would fight it, for sure," she said. "For a government to dictate how people get dressed, it's unreasonable to me." | "I would fight it, for sure," she said. "For a government to dictate how people get dressed, it's unreasonable to me." |
| The minority Parti Québécois government cannot pass legislation without support from one other party, and it has said it will seek to build consensus. | The minority Parti Québécois government cannot pass legislation without support from one other party, and it has said it will seek to build consensus. |
| Asked whether officials and witnesses would still swear an oath on the Bible, Drainville appeared caught off-guard. | Asked whether officials and witnesses would still swear an oath on the Bible, Drainville appeared caught off-guard. |
| "Oh, my God," he said. "We'll get back to you." | "Oh, my God," he said. "We'll get back to you." |
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