The intention expressed by the Trudeau government to continue its challenge to the Law on State Secularism before the Supreme Court is a “lack of respect” towards Quebecers, according to Prime Minister François Legault.
The leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec was called to speak on the subject for a second consecutive day, the day after the Court of Appeal’s verdict in favor of the legislative piece.
In a judgment of more than 300 pages, the highest court in Quebec confirmed the validity of Bill 21 and the ban on the wearing of religious symbols by certain state employees that it decrees in addition to extending it to English-speaking school boards which had been exempted by the Superior Court in a previous decision.
However, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, was quick to reiterate his opposition to the law. “If and when the issue [se retrouvera] at the Supreme Court, we will intervene as the federal government to protect and support the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” he said.
For the Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, this is a “lack of respect” towards Quebecers among whom there would be a “consensus” towards the law.
“There is a majority of Quebecers who agree with Bill 21 (a term frequently used to designate the Law on State Secularism) so it would be a lack of respect for the federal government to contest Bill 21,” he declared during a press scrum in Châteauguay on Friday.
A previous statement
Shortly after the publication of the Court of Appeal’s judgment on Thursday, François Legault emphasized that it was a “great victory for the Quebec nation.” He then declared that he would use the notwithstanding clause as long as it was necessary “for Canada to recognize the choices” of Quebec.
The comments made by François Legault on Friday echo a similar statement he made in May 2022, shortly after the adoption of his reform of Law 101.
Then federal Minister of Justice, David Lametti confirmed the Trudeau government’s intention to challenge the Law on State Secularism all the way to the Supreme Court when the Quebec Court of Appeal had not even heard the case yet.
“It’s a blatant lack of respect from Justin Trudeau towards Quebecers, since we know that a majority of Quebecers agree with Bill 21,” said the Prime Minister of Quebec, after question period. in the National Assembly.