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Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

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21–28 of 28 posts

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#21
post #5

It's disgusting, and most of the rest of Canada is against it. The part that really bugs me about it is that Christian symbols are allowed- because that's "a part of our culture".

French Canadians really are a breed apart. If you've only been to Montreal, you might not believe it, but the rest of the province is still kind of a time capsule. They are still very Catholic, very French, and not particularly interested in changing.

I don’t think the part about being very Catholic and very French* is true at all. Churches are dying all over the province.

But you’re right in that the Quebec outside of Montreal is _very_ different. Much more conservative.

* Unless by that you mean they speak French, which is very much true. But calling quebecers “French” is akin to calling Americans “British”. They’re not the same at all despite a common language.

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#22
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, known as the notwithstanding clause, is part of the Constitution of Canada. Also known as the override clause, Section 33 allows federal, provincial or territorial governments to temporarily override, or bypass, certain Charter rights. Section 33 overrides can last only five years, when they are subject to renewal. Although the clause is available to governme…

> What does it gain them? This law almost certainly violates the charter IMO (except for the notwithstanding clause) because of freedom of religion and expression. What it gains them is the ability to pass this law without it being overturned. I'd say it's completely in character for Quebec to pass a law like this with no ulterior motives except what's on the box - preventing civil servants from wearing religious sym…

> I'd say it's completely in character for Quebec to pass a law like this with no ulterior motives except what's on the box - preventing civil servants from wearing religious symbols.

Additionally, Québec is the province in Canada with the strongest sense of a unique cultural identity. It is the Francophone-majority province in an English-majority Canada, and it has a long history of using public policy to advocate in favour of its particular group identity.

In turn, they wish to prevent civil servants from wearing religious symbols in order to enforce a form of laïcité in the public face of the province, as a role model of what Québec "should" be like. Advocates are obviously concerned that this religious-symbol ban will drift downwards to affect people who seek to use government services as well.

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#23
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

French Canadians really are a breed apart. If you've only been to Montreal, you might not believe it, but the rest of the province is still kind of a time capsule. They are still very Catholic, very French, and not particularly interested in changing.

I don’t think the part about being very Catholic and very French* is true at all. Churches are dying all over the province. But you’re right in that the Quebec outside of Montreal is _very_ different. Much more conservative. * Unless by that you mean they speak French, which is very much true. But calling quebecers “French” is akin to calling Americans “British”. They’re not the same at all despite a common language.

Yeah, sorry, what I'm trying to say doesn't translate unless you are from Maine or maybe northern NH or Vermont. If you say French there, it is understood as Quebecois, not European French. And Quebecois are very distinctive, almost stereotypical.

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#24
post #8
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The bill also invokes the notwithstanding clause What's that ?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_33_of_the_Canadian_C... > The Parliament of Canada, a provincial legislature or a territorial legislature may declare that one of its laws or part of a law applies temporarily ("notwithstanding") countermanding sections of the Charter, thereby nullifying any judicial review by overriding the Charter protections for a limited period of time. This is done by including a section i…

I'm even more surprised it just requires a simple majority and not a supermajority. Seems like it could be really easily abused.

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#25
post #12
post #5

It's disgusting, and most of the rest of Canada is against it. The part that really bugs me about it is that Christian symbols are allowed- because that's "a part of our culture".

Christian symbols aren't allowed either.

Really? My understanding was crosses were to be allowed.

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#26
The title of this submission broke the site guidelines quite badly. They ask: "Please use the original title, unless it is misleading or linkbait; don't editorialize." We take away submission privileges from accounts that do that, so please don't do that.

Submitted title was "Québec will ban hijab & other religious symbols to be worn by govt. employees."

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#27
post #5

It's disgusting, and most of the rest of Canada is against it. The part that really bugs me about it is that Christian symbols are allowed- because that's "a part of our culture".

Exactly, West was founded on Christianity, not Islam. That's why in West woman have most freedom than anywhere in the world. If this statement makes you upset, you are running away from reality.

We've banned this account for repeatedly violating the site guidelines. If you don't want to be banned, you're welcome to email hn@ycombinator.com and give us reason to believe that you'll follow the rules in the future.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Re: Quebec's National Assembly continues, focus shifts to religious symbols bill

#28
post #17

The title of this link is so grossly sensationalized. Nothing has been set yet, and Quebec hasn't banned anything. Politicians just proposed a bill and will likely face steep opposition since this sort of thing has happened before. In Canada, everyone must wear helmets when operating a motorcycle; riders who wore turbans were exempt from this rule. A bill was proposed to ratify the exemption, ppl cited discrimination…

> Quebec hasn't banned anything. Politicians just proposed a bill and will likely face steep opposition since this sort of thing has happened before.

The bill is passed on June 16, 2019 (yesterday).

Source: National Assembly of Quebec. http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-lo...

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