Montrealers gathered, braving cold weather and snow to denounce outgoing Quebec Premier François Legault and his controversial secularism law, Bill 21, on Saturday.
Organizers of the Canadian Muslim Forum gathered in front of outgoing Legault’s Montreal office, alongside community groups and concerned citizens.
“It is heartbreaking. Numerous female employees across many sectors received letters from their administrators openly during and right away before Christmas to say you will be out if you don’t remove the so-called religious symbols by January 5. Imagine families destroyed. I know many single mothers. Their survival is their checks, pay-to-pay,” said Samer Majzoub, president of the Canadian Muslim Forum.
They raised a united voice against what they’re calling violations of the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms caused by Quebec’s contentious secularism law, which prohibits sector workers in positions of authority from wearing visible religious symbols at work.
“Canada is known for everybody can live the way that they want. They can dress whatever they want, they eat whatever they want, they believe whatever they want. So it’s not there anymore. It’s a real threat!” said Hana Masuod, the president of the Together Protect Our Children Association.
The law, known as Bill 21, has garnered public backlash and controversy since it was officially passed into law by Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government back in 2019, with critics saying it violates the right to freedom of expression and religion, and is a cause for discrimination as it forces many to choose between their profession and their religious beliefs.
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“Women wearing a scarf working to provide for their children poses no harm for anyone. Especially these days, like with the increase of inexpensive lives, the struggling already, they’re making it harder. Forcing women to choose between their identity and their jobs is unfair. Like, they’re destroying people’s lives by doing this,” said Masuod.
Majzoub added, “Honestly, the only victims are women, girls and women, Quebecers, you know, using different excuses to just target those women. And I will tell you something very important just for you and everyone who is listening to know that the government knows very well that they are violating the rights of women by using the notwithstanding clause.”
This comes just days after Legault’s announcement on Wednesday that he was stepping down from his position as leader of the CAQ, and that he hopes the next election focuses on the major challenges facing Quebec rather than a simple desire for change.
“We have failures at every level. Okay, we have financial scandals. We have issues at our medical system, educational systems, streets, gangs, every aspect. And now, Monsieur Legault decided to quit or resign under the pressure of the fact that the latest sondage was receiving 7 to 10 percent support. That’s it, that’s all. And on top of this, we are rushing to create an identity crisis that doesn’t exist,” said Majzoub.
As for Bill 21, judges from the Supreme Court of Canada are slated to hear arguments on the matter in March later this year – ahead of Quebec general elections in the fall of 2026.
“I would like to tell people that don’t be just silent because if you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem. You have to speak up and stand up for people’s rights,” said Masuod.
Majzoub added, “Hand in hand for women’s rights in Quebec!”
