The CAQists will always try to piss on the others when they are in trouble. And the PQ has become a rightwing ethnic nationalist force. It's sad to see. But this particular proposal has been reviled by many, including the Archbishop of Montreal. So we'll see what happens. It could be the chorus of a dying patient. Though I'm sure the PQ, should they ascend, will do whatever they can, on the backs of the other(s), to create tension and friction with Ottawa. Joy.
Well, if they're going to prevent muslims from praying in public, then they had better prevent prayers at cemeteries, children outdoors at Sunday school, and what about prayers at government events that are outdoors
This is a purely racist action.
I like the comment that the person made that quebec has benefited from special minority treatment. Quebec should be ashamed of itself.
Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion. Good move by the Quebec government, and a lack of understanding of the quiet revolution by the author...
Rights are called so because they apply equally to everyone, not just people who happen to be "like you."
We have the Charter in order to prohibit this very kind of abuse. And there are so many Section 2 violations in this proposal that it makes my eyes water.
It violates not only freedom of religion, but freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.
And it is probably also a violation of Section 15 (equal treatment under the law).
Québec governments have been wishing that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were optional since the day it entered into force, and they often act that way. But that doesn't make it true.
François Legault, master of inconsistency, thinks the cross in the the Quebec Nat. Assembly (gifted 1936) is historic, but the 1851 Freedom of Worship Act is not. Whether or not this gambit succeeds as legislation, it has already succeeded as a dog whistle for xenophobes, who hear "vote for us, we will rid you of these intruders".
I like this analysis for it's novelty. I wonder though how many other (more benign) provincial (and municipal!) regulations might fall under such an interpretation though. Provincial bubble zone laws come to mind, as do overnight sheltering bylaws (which have already been challenged under the Charter).
Except the examples you cite here aren't colourable in the way Quebec's proposed prayer ban would be. Bubble zone laws, for example, are generally tied directly to access to provincial services (like hospitals) or legitimate public safety matters (though under the Charter, it's possible to design them too broadly). The same could be said about sheltering bylaws. The 'pith and substance' analysis courts undertake are key. Legault's public comments expose that a public prayer ban has nothing to do with public safety, public property, or obstructing other peoples' access to space, etc., it is about NOT LIKING public prayer (specifically Muslim public prayer). There's no provincial jurisdiction for such a law.
I commend Quebec for this ban. Public prayer is just an invitation to divide, discriminate, provoke. Praying can be done at home, in churches, synagogs and mosques…. Why make a show of it?
I was dismayed to learn about this proposal, which smacks of the odious ethnic nationalism that is on the rise everywhere.
It is especially gross coming from a province and a community that has benefitted immensely from minority rights protections for over 250 years.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Excellent article - forceful , insightful informative and ultimately persuasive . Thanks Emmett
The CAQists will always try to piss on the others when they are in trouble. And the PQ has become a rightwing ethnic nationalist force. It's sad to see. But this particular proposal has been reviled by many, including the Archbishop of Montreal. So we'll see what happens. It could be the chorus of a dying patient. Though I'm sure the PQ, should they ascend, will do whatever they can, on the backs of the other(s), to create tension and friction with Ottawa. Joy.
THANK YOU, EMMETT!!!
Well, if they're going to prevent muslims from praying in public, then they had better prevent prayers at cemeteries, children outdoors at Sunday school, and what about prayers at government events that are outdoors
This is a purely racist action.
I like the comment that the person made that quebec has benefited from special minority treatment. Quebec should be ashamed of itself.
A very persuasive argument.
Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion. Good move by the Quebec government, and a lack of understanding of the quiet revolution by the author...
Rights are called so because they apply equally to everyone, not just people who happen to be "like you."
We have the Charter in order to prohibit this very kind of abuse. And there are so many Section 2 violations in this proposal that it makes my eyes water.
It violates not only freedom of religion, but freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.
And it is probably also a violation of Section 15 (equal treatment under the law).
Québec governments have been wishing that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were optional since the day it entered into force, and they often act that way. But that doesn't make it true.
I hope they get sued into the ground.
François Legault, master of inconsistency, thinks the cross in the the Quebec Nat. Assembly (gifted 1936) is historic, but the 1851 Freedom of Worship Act is not. Whether or not this gambit succeeds as legislation, it has already succeeded as a dog whistle for xenophobes, who hear "vote for us, we will rid you of these intruders".
I like this analysis for it's novelty. I wonder though how many other (more benign) provincial (and municipal!) regulations might fall under such an interpretation though. Provincial bubble zone laws come to mind, as do overnight sheltering bylaws (which have already been challenged under the Charter).
Except the examples you cite here aren't colourable in the way Quebec's proposed prayer ban would be. Bubble zone laws, for example, are generally tied directly to access to provincial services (like hospitals) or legitimate public safety matters (though under the Charter, it's possible to design them too broadly). The same could be said about sheltering bylaws. The 'pith and substance' analysis courts undertake are key. Legault's public comments expose that a public prayer ban has nothing to do with public safety, public property, or obstructing other peoples' access to space, etc., it is about NOT LIKING public prayer (specifically Muslim public prayer). There's no provincial jurisdiction for such a law.
This is why you're the constitutional expert and I'm the constitutional amateur. Thanks!
I commend Quebec for this ban. Publiccprayer is just an invitation to divide, discriminate, provoke.
I commend Quebec for this ban. Public prayer is just an invitation to divide, discriminate, provoke. Praying can be done at home, in churches, synagogs and mosques…. Why make a show of it?
As long as they enact it across all religions.