(Canadian Press) The Quebec government says it will ban religious symbols for daycare workers in its latest bid to tighten secularism rules across the province.
Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge said Thursday the government is acting in the best interests of children. “I think it’s important to provide a neutral environment for students,” he told reporters in Quebec City.
“We know that Quebecers are behind us on this,” he said.
In a social media statement, the minister said there is “broad consensus” in Quebec in favour of strengthening secularism.
The announcement makes good on a key recommendation from a nearly 300-page report published this summer by a committee tasked with advising the province on how to enhance secularism. That report set out 50 recommendations to combat what its authors saw as a growing presence of religion in some Quebec institutions.
