MONTREAL – Concordia University has taken a position on Quebec’s controversial Bill 60 in a statement issued on Tuesday.
While it acknowledges that certain elements of the bill, in particular the separation of state and church and gender equality are “strongly reaffirmed by our Board of Governors and Senate,” the statement takes issue with provisions that ban the wearing of religious symbols by university employees, which it noted affects more than 7,000 full- and part-time employees.
POLL: Rest of Canada decries Quebec’s charter, but opposes some religious symbols
“The Concordia University community wishes to make known its disagreement with certain key elements of the proposed Charter of Secular Values and urges the Government of Quebec to amend the draft legislation significantly before seeking its passage.” the university said in a statement.
READ MORE: Full text of Bill 60 – Quebec’s Charter of Values
Concordia cites three main reasons for its stance: its particular history and current circumstances; the anticipated effects on recruitment and retention; and the democratic principle of the autonomy of universities everywhere.
The statement is signed by various student, professional and faculty unions and associations.
To read it in full, click here.
The announcement comes three months after McGill University confirmed its position on Quebec’s then proposed Charter of Values.
WATCH: Round up of reaction to Quebec’s proposed Charter of Values
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