Nour Farhat, a federal judge in Canada, dreamed of becoming a prosecutor but faced career limitations due to Quebec's Bill 21, which prohibits public servants from wearing religious symbols. Farhat's hijab disqualified her from many roles, highlighting concerns about religious freedom and discrimination. The law, presented as a secularism defense, has faced opposition from various groups arguing it undermines Charter rights. By using the notwithstanding clause, the government suspended rights and judicial reviews for five years, further intensifying the controversy surrounding Bill 21 and its impact on minorities.
In Quebec, Bill 21 has drawn sharp opposition from a broad coalition—including the National Council of Canadian Muslims—who argue it tramples basic rights.
'I work as a federal judge in Canada, and currently I don't even have the right to work as a municipal lawyer in Quebec,' says Farhat.
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