The education minister says the latest allegations of secularism laws being flouted are “completely intolerable and unacceptable.”
QUEBEC – Faced with a series of incidents where the province’s secularism laws are not being respected, Quebec has decided to table new legislation reinforcing laicity in Quebec.
Describing fresh revelations of the laws being flouted at Saint-Maxime school in Laval as “completely intolerable and unacceptable,” Drainville announced on social media Friday that new legislation is in the works.
“These acts of a religious nature clearly contravene the obligations of laicity,” Drainville wrote. “It is hard to imagine the psychological impact that some of these acts have had on students.
“Our public schools in Quebec are secular. They must be places where students can learn and socialize without being subject to any pressure whatsoever to religious beliefs. Our schools must also incarnate Quebec values, particularly the equality between men and women to which we are profoundly attached, and for which we will make no compromises.
“We expect education personnel respect these values which are the foundation of the identity of Quebec society at all times.”
The report on those incidents is expected in January but “I can already confirm, in the light of the accumulating events, that we are going to act,” Drainville said.
“I am thus announcing today that our government intends to legislate to reinforce laicity in our Quebec schools,” Drainville said. “This willingness represents our desire to follow up on the mandate the premier handed the minister responsible for laicity (Jean-François Roberge) and myself.”
It then opened investigations of reports of religion emerging in other schools.
La Presse also reported there was great reluctance to teach students courses on sexuality.
The National Assembly recesses for the holidays Friday which means Drainville’s bill cannot be presented until the legislature resumes sitting on Jan. 28, 2025.
Drainville is to meet the media later Friday.