Steve Rukavina

Liberal leadership hopefuls urge federal intervention on Bill 21 Supreme Court to hear challenge against controversial Quebec secularism law

January 24, 2025 Raffy Boudjikanian and Steve Rukavina

(CBC) With the Supreme Court agreeing to hear a challenge against Quebec’s controversial secularism law, Bill 21, Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, presumed front-runners to replace Justin Trudeau, say they encourage the prime minister to follow through on his word to have […]

Quebec Court of Appeal to evaluate whether secularism law unfairly targets Muslim women Questions over the hijab dominated throughout hearings

November 16, 2022 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) As arguments wrapped at the Quebec Court of Appeal Wednesday for the legal challenge to the province’s secularism law — known as Bill 21 — the panel of judges hinted that the case hinges on whether the bill disproportionately discriminates against Muslim women who wear the […]

English-language school boards argue Quebec’s secularism law should not apply to them Lawyer for EMSB argues religious diversity is part of cultural DNA of boards

November 9, 2022 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) English-language school boards argued before the Quebec Court of Appeal Wednesday they should be exempt from Quebec’s secularism law — known as Bill 21 — because religious diversity is part of the cultural heritage of English schools in Quebec. “The examples […]

Muslim women most affected by Quebec’s secularism law, Court of Appeal hears School board lawyer tells court only Muslim women have lost jobs due to Bill 21

November 8, 2022 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) As the court challenge of Quebec’s secularism law — commonly known as Bill 21 — continues this week before the Quebec Court of Appeal, groups contesting the law argued Tuesday Bill 21 overwhelmingly discriminates against Muslim women. The Quebec government and several civil […]

English Montreal School Board asks court to speed up exemption from religious symbols law EMSB argues waiting for appeal process to play out is causing irreparable harm

October 18, 2021 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) The English Montreal School Board was before the Quebec Court of Appeal Monday, asking for an acceleration of its exemption to Bill 21, the controversial law that prevents some civil servants in positions of authority — including teachers — from wearing religious […]

Quebec judge who asked woman to remove hijab apologizes, 5 years later Judge Eliana Marengo refused to hear case of woman unless she removed her hijab, prompting 5-year saga

September 8, 2020 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) A Quebec court judge, who refused to hear the case of a Montreal woman because she was wearing a hijab, has finally apologized for the incident, more than five years after it happened. At an online hearing of the Quebec Council of the […]

Judge who told woman to remove hijab offering to apologize in settlement proposal Quebec court judge Eliana Marengo's lawyers say she'll apologize if judicial complaints against her dropped

July 30, 2020 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) A Quebec court judge who refused to hold a hearing for a Montreal woman after the woman refused to remove her hijab now says she’s willing to apologize for the incident, more than five years after it happened. In February 2015, Judge Eliana […]

Quebec judge removes teenager from family home after she flees forced marriage Girl's fiancé forced her to wear hijab, controlled her friendships, clothes, cellphone

September 9, 2019 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) A Quebec youth court judge has removed a 16-year-old girl in Victoriaville from her family after she was forced into a marriage with an older man who insisted she wear a hijab, rifled through her cellphone and controlled who she could see. […]

Disciplinary hearing for judge who refused to hear woman wearing hijab is again delayed Lawyer representing judge says report on incident was biased

June 7, 2019 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) More than four years after a Quebec court judge refused to hear the case of a woman because she was wearing a hijab, the Conseil de la magistrature finally held a disciplinary hearing into the judge’s conduct. In February 2015, Judge […]

Supreme Court won’t hear appeal from Quebec judge over hijab disciplinary probe Judge refused to hear a routine traffic matter unless woman removed her hijab

December 13, 2018 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) A Quebec judge has failed in her bid to halt disciplinary proceedings against her after she refused to hear the case of a woman wearing a hijab. In February 2015, Quebec court Judge Eliana Marengo refused to hear a routine traffic […]

Charles Taylor slams CAQ plan to ban religious symbols for some civil servants Co-author of Bouchard-Taylor report calls CAQ plan 'ridiculous,' 'dishonest' and 'a lot of blather'

October 18, 2018 Steve Rukavina

(CBC) Philosopher Charles Taylor says the new CAQ government “doesn’t get the point” of the report he co-authored that’s been frequently cited by the CAQ as justification for its controversial plan to ban the wearing of religious symbols by some civil servants. […]