In her column “A “beautiful victory””, Ms. Lanctôt maintains “that we are shooting ourselves in the foot and that we are weakening the social fabric by behaving in such an openly contemptuous manner with regard to the rights of minorities” following the judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal largely ratifying the constitutionality of Bill 21. There is no contempt for religious or cultural minorities.
If Quebec society has a duty to welcome, those who choose to make their lives there have a duty to integrate, all of which promotes the population’s living together. Religion is part of the private sphere of each individual and has no place in public institutions. Madame Lanctôt is one of those intellectuals for whom rights are absolute values, allowing no exceptions or compromises. If negotiation, compromise and good faith arrangements did not exist in our society, it would have difficulty functioning.
If wearing religious symbols is an obligation for certain communities, couldn’t its members obtain an exemption when they are at work and if they are in a position of authority? They would then show that they are keen to integrate into Quebec society, would promote living together and would help to reduce unacceptable manifestations of intolerance towards them. If their “home” is in Quebec, they would have a great opportunity to show it.
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