Quebec secular charter 'abolishes rights,' opposition says

After months of controversy, the Quebec government has tabledits secular charter and provoked another wave of debate from local, provincial and federal politicians.

If passed,Bill 60 would see allpublic sector employees banned from wearing overtly religious symbols.

Once the bill was tabled, debate quickly grew heated in the national assembly, started by a back-and-forthbetween Premier PaulineMaroisand Liberal Opposition leader Jean-MarcFournier.

• Read the full English version of Bill 60

Fournieraccused thePartiQubcoisgovernment of creating division in Quebec's society forno reason.

The neutrality of the state is not in peril.Jean-MarcFournier,Opposition leader

"The Liberal Party of Quebec would never think of removing rights in order to protect other rights,"Fourniersaid.

"The government wants to abolish rights and liberties without any factual proof ... the neutrality of the state is not in peril."

Maroisshot back, saying thebillwas founded on the values of democracy equality between men and women, and neutrality of the state.

"These are the basic foundations of our society,"Maroissaid.

I dont know if the leader of the Opposition and I live on the same planet.

Drainvillesays transition won't extend indefinitely

Minister Bernard Drainville tabledBill 60, recently renamed as the"charter affirming the values of state secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests."

Once the bill is passed, it would allow allcivil service organizations one full year to adapt to the changes.

Certaininstitutions such as universities, health-care centres and municipalities, will be able to apply to extend their transition periods by another five years.

In some cases, institutionssuch as Montreal's Jewish general hospitalcould apply for an even longer extension.

But Drainville said that periodwill not be indefinite.

"The general principle underlying this clause is that we recognize that certain institutions founded for religious reasonsmay have to take longer," he said.

The PQgovernment said it also wants to amend the charter of rights and freedoms in order to set out guidelines of what is considered reasonable accommodation.

Government willing to call confidence vote

Moments before the bill was set to be tabled, the PQgovernment revealed it would be following a highly unusual protocol.

If any of the opposition parties were to have objected to the tabling of the bill, the government said it would havecalled for a voteand those votes would be considered as a confidence vote in the government. That means if the two opposition parties had voted against tabling the bill, the minority Quebec government would havefallen.

In the end, the bill was tabled quickly and without a confidence vote.

National assembly crucifix will remain,for now

Over the past few months, the PQgovernment has faced criticismfor the crucifix that hangshangs above the Speaker's chair in the national assembly.

The government has maintained that the crucifix is a part of Quebec's heritage and culture, and should remain in the building.

But after Bill 60was unveiled today, Drainville said the crucifix'sfuture will not be decided by the government and theywill wait for aconsensus from the legislature.

Drainville also said members of the national assembly will be exempt from the ban on wearing overtly religious symbols.

Secular charter renamed

Previously referred to as the charter of Quebec values, the PQ government has renamed the bill the"charter affirming the values of state secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests."

• Majority of Quebecers are pro-charter, Drainville says

• 'Charter of Quebec values' will unite province: Marois

Opposition politicians went on the attack after reading Bill 60.

Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard called the bill discriminatory and unconstitutional.

It's kind of saying that part of our values in Quebec is discrimination based on hiring because of the way you dress, he said.

Couillardsaid the billis based on fear, not openness.

What this bill is telling the world and that's highly unfortunate it's telling the world,look how we are weak. How weak we are. We feel that we cannot defend ourselves. We are besieged. We are under threat."

• DEBATE: The politics of Quebec's charter of values

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Quebec's secular charter also had federal politicians in Ottawa weighing in.

Canadas Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney said hes very concerned, and the Canadian government will keep a close eye on what happens with Bill 60.

Freedom of religion is a universal principle, and it is one that we protect and defend here in Canada, Kenney said, adding that if the secular charter passes at the national assembly, Ottawa will challenge it.

Here in Canada, a Canadian is no less a citizen because through their religious observings they may wear a hijab or a turban, a kippa or a cross. They are all equally Canada, and have the equal right to participate fully in Canadian society.

NDPLeader TomMulcairsaid he considers Bill 60 divisive.

I am aQuebecer, and I know Quebec values are values of inclusion and openness. [PaulineMarois] knows this is never going to pass,Mulcairsaid.

This is a political play. Quebecers are open and inclusive, and this doesnt respect who Quebecers are and it doesnt reflect who they are.

Montreals mayor-elect DenisCoderrewho took a stance against the charter during his election campaignsaid he hasnt changed his mind now that hes read the tabled bill.

We define Montreal by its diversity its not a one-size-fits-all.Denis Coderre, Montreal's mayor-elect

My point of view has not changed,Coderresaid, adding that hell meet with Montreals new councillors and introduce a resolution in city hall condemning the charter.

We define Montreal by its diversity its not a one-size-fits-all. My role is to make sure that we keep that.

Coderre a former Liberal MP and federal minister of immigrationsaid he plans to go to Quebec City to meet withMarois, saying hes concerned about how such a law would affect the economy.

It affects individual rights. You cannot have a hierarchy of rights,Coderresaid.

We need a serene but firm debate on the impact of such a law, if its applied as is. There is no consensus right now.