Quebecers uncomfortable with religious headgear, poll shows

A poll commissioned by Radio-Canada after the Parti Qubcois unveiled its proposed charter of values shows Quebecers are unevenly split on the wearing of religious symbols.

Over 1,100 Quebecers were asked a series of questions related to the debate brewing across the province on the subject of religion by SOM Research.

When they were asked whether they would be comfortable if their childs daycare worker wore a cross, hijab, turban or kippa, 79 per cent of respondents said a cross would be fine.

Meanwhile, only 49 per cent of people said they were comfortable with the hijab, 46 per cent with the turban and 41 per cent with the kippa.

Elsewhere, 90 per cent of Quebecers said theyd be at ease with a doctor wearing a cross, while only 65 per cent of them said theyd be equally at ease with a doctor wearing a kippa.

The disparity could be owed to confusion about what a kippa actually is, said SOM Research Vice-President ric Lacroix.

Considering that the kippa, a skullcap worn by Orthodox Jewish men, is actually the least visible of the headwear mentioned in the poll, Lacroix said its possible some respondents confused it with kirpan.

The two words are very similar in French, and the kirpan was at the centre of acontroversy a couple years ago in Quebec in terms of religious accommodations, Lacroix said.

He said its possible people are not well-informed about the difference between religioussymbols.

For more in-depth poll results in French, consult Radio-Canadas website.