Quebec to get a "Secular" Charter

[Nikolay]

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/pq-to-unveil-secular-charter-of-quebec-values-next-fall/article12078856/

In what I've read, this new charter defines Quebec as a secular society, opposed to its current status of being a heavily Catholic province. One interesting thing that the new charter is doing is redefining religious holidays. In Quebec, and all of Canada, Christmas, Easter and so forth are considered religious holidays. Basically the charter defines Christmas and any other religious holiday as a civic holiday, which is the right move. I respect and understand Christian opposition (I was pretty religious), but to be honest, religion in Canada is on the wane. Correct me if I'm wrong, but currently 30% (or more) of Canadians have no religious affiliation and a very small percentage go to church (only 25%).

Do you think this type of charter, that defines society as secular, be put in place in all countries? I'd prefer a revolution to change everything, but that isn't possible at the moment, unfortunately.

[blake 3:17]

It's not actually all that Catholic and the aim of this legislation is xenophobic and aimed at the Right base of PQ/BQ.



Secular charter would be shredded by court, lawyer says


The Canadian Press

Posted: Aug 16, 2012 3:19 PM ET

Last Updated: Aug 16, 2012 5:28 PM ET

Read 21 comments21 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebecvotes2012/story/2012/08/16/quebec-votes-secular-charter-issues.html#socialcomments)
http://cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2012/08/16/hi-crucifix-852-8col.jpg Parti Québecois leader Pauline Marois wants to introduce a secular charter if her government is elected but does not plan on removing the crucifix from the National Assembly. (CBC)

A prominent constitutional lawyer says a plan by the Parti Quebecois to restrict certain religious symbols in public institutions would be shredded up in court.
Julius Grey used the example of doctors with religious headwear and said that if they one day challenge the PQ proposal, they will win.
The PQ has proposed a Charter of Secularism that would forbid employees in public institutions from wearing overt religious symbols; the policy would not apply to necklaces, like the crucifix.
"Imagine the absurdity of saying that we have the best surgeon in Quebec, but he can't operate in Quebec because he's not permitted to wear his kippah, turban or scarf," Grey said in an interview.
"I think a doctor would succeed — I think there's no reason for a doctor not to wear a turban, kippah or scarf."
Grey cited jurisprudence that could be used to knock down the PQ proposal, including the famous case of turbans in the RCMP.
He said any Quebec public servant who would launch a legal challenge would also be successful.
"I don't see why a civil servant who works in a department should be deprived of his rights," he said in an interview from Victoria. "It's very likely that in the vast majority of cases there would be accommodation ordered by the courts."