Quebec to ban public prayer in sweeping new secularism law

"Bill 9, introduced by the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec on Thursday, bans prayer in public institutions, including in colleges and universities. It also bans communal prayer on public roads and in parks, with the threat of fines of C$1,125 for groups in contravention of the prohibition. Short public events with prior approval are exempt. CAQ has made secularism a key legislative priority, passing the controversial Bill 21 which bans some public sector employees from wearing religious symbol in 2019."

"It plans to extend that prohibition to anyone working in daycares, colleges, universities and private schools. Full face coverings would be banned for anyone in those institutions, including students. Quebec's secularism minister, Jean-Francois Roberge, said the controversial new provisions were the latest steps in a province working towards full secularization. He criticized previous accommodations by post-secondary institutions, including prayer rooms, telling reporters the schools are not temples or churches or those kinds of places."

"It's shocking to see people blocking traffic, taking possession of the public space without a permit, without warning, and then turning our streets, our parks, our public squares into places of worship, said Roberge. The province will also limit the offering of kosher and halal meals in public institutions. We think that when the state is neutral, Quebecers are free, said Roberge, rejecting allegations the law disproportionately affects minorities. We have the same rules applying to everyone, he said."

Bill 9 prohibits prayer in public institutions, including colleges and universities, and bans communal prayer on public roads and in parks, with fines for contravening groups. Short public events with prior approval are exempt from the prohibition. The governing party plans to extend previous secular rules to anyone working in daycares, colleges, universities and private schools and would ban full face coverings for people in those institutions, including students. The province will limit kosher and halal meal offerings in public institutions. Officials frame measures as state neutrality while critics say the rules disproportionately affect Muslims and Muslim students feel personally attacked.

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