Expert: Charter makes Quebec appears xenophobic

MONTREAL – Secularism, by definition, is the belief that religion has no place in civil affairs or public education.

In other words, it means a person cannot display their religious beliefs in public.

Now, the PQ has proposed a Charter that will is looking to outlaw the wearing of  any religious symbols on public employees.

Emanuelle Richez is a researcher and Political Science professor at Concordia University.

She joined the Morning News to elaborate on the subject of secularism in relation to the Charter.

“The PQ is trying to ensure that governmental institutions are objective and unbiased,” said Richez.

“But electorally speaking, they are trying to rally the nationalists vote in order to win a majority government at the next election.”

CAQ leader Francois Legault has said that while he believes in the Charter, he also thinks it too radical.

Legault says the rule on religious wear should be reserved for officials who are in positions of authority.

That is, policeman, judges, and teachers.

Richez also said Quebec could be seen as racist or xenophobic but she points out the PQ clearly does not care about what people outside the province think.