Ban overt religious signs in public service, PQ says [View all]

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Parti Québecois wants to introduce secular charter

CBC News
Posted: Aug 14, 2012 9:56 AM ET
Last Updated: Aug 14, 2012 3:29 PM ET

The Parti Québecois wants to introduce a secular charter and ban all civil servants from wearing or exposing overt religious symbols.

This isn't the first time the Parti Québecois has mentioned the introduction of a secular charter aimed at making sure public and parapublic institutions are free of religious bias and symbols.

At a news conference on Monday in Maskinongé, northeast of Montreal, leader Pauline Marois said freedom of religion would be integrated in the charter.

"Before having it contested, we will present it, debate it and adopt it. If it has to be contested, for now it's a hypothetical question. We will fight for what we need because we think this is essential for the public's well-being by taking its values and writing them in a charter," said Marois.

Under this charter, civil servants would not be allowed to wear conspicuous religious symbols.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebecvotes2012/story/2012/08/14/quebec-votes-caq-tax-credit-pq-liberals.html