Recently Quebec has brought forth a controversial proposal to alter the Charter of Quebec.
In relation to the history of Canada, Quebec, as a way of appeasement, was given special allowances when it became joined with English Canada. Included within these allowances was the development of their own charter of rights and freedoms or the Charter of Quebec.
The duality within Canada is very unique and not without its difficulties, even devastations. For example, in the 1960s Quebec separatists, the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ). Overall they were responsible for 160 violent occurrences and eight deaths.
Today, because of the uniqueness of Canada's history Quebec is now putting forth changes to their charter, which has created much discussion.
According to CBC the revised charter would prevent public service employees from wearing "ostentatious" religious symbols while working. Anyone who provides government services is to have their faces uncovered, meaning such religious clothing as the hijab will be outlawed.
Though the changes will ultimately ban religious symbols from government positions, the Catholic history of Quebec will still be an important part of the province.
For example, there are large crucifixes in both the Quebec legislature and on Mount Royal in Montreal.
According to Parti Quebecois cabinet minister Bernard Dranville, the changes proposed would create a neutral state. However, questions arose of why large showings of religious items such as the crucifixes will not be removed while religious clothing such as the hijab will be banned.
"The choice we made about the crucifix is that of our heritage, of history," Drainville said in a conversation with Guy A. Lepage. "There's a lot of Quebecers who are still attached to this crucifix, not because they're particularly Christian or Catholic, but because they see it as a symbol of our people."
"Lots of people see a cultural symbol, a symbol of our history, and Quebecers are attached to that history and don't want to turn our backs on it."
So, throughout the last couple of weeks people have been split by the proposed plan either against it because people view the change as limiting someone's Freedom of Religion, while others are for the change as it keeps Quebec's identity true. In addition to this xenophobia plays a role amongst some because Quebec is still seen as very conservative and Catholic, thus limiting the practice of other religions through banning their clothing will, in a way, keep the "others" away.
Personally I don't agree with the proposed charter. I feel like it does infringe on people's rights and freedoms because for devout Muslims who wear the niqab or hijab their jobs become limited. It shouldn't matter if a nurse is wearing a head covering or a large cross as long as they do their job and not push their religious views onto others.
This I think is what religious freedom is about. The freedom to practice your religion without lecturing someone else about theirs. I'm personally not offended by someone wearing religious symbols because I understand that I have my beliefs, while others have their own.
In some instances I can understand why wanting to be able to view a person's face is important. For instance within a court room I feel like it would be important to see someone's face, to make sure you have the right person. Another instance would be in the case of photo identification. There are instances where it is important to know the person you have, is the one you actually have in front of you.
Therefore, in my opinion there is a very fine line between infringing upon rights and keeping the greater public safe.
I know there are instances of people exclaiming that religious tolerance sometimes goes too far, which is the case of wishing someone Merry Christmas in my opinion. In turn someone could wish me a Happy Hanukah, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanza, etc They are being joyous and celebrating, which is all they're trying to convey to another. It's not pushing their religion on another, just like wearing a religious head scarf is their choice and in my opinion it's not hurting anyone.
