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A Sarnia councilor says he wants the city to join other municipalities in opposing Quebec’s secularism law.
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“It’s wrong what’s happening there,” Bill Dennis said about Bill 21, which bans Quebec public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols. “It’s not right. It’s not Canadian. It’s wrong. ”
Brampton, Toronto and London in December committed $ 100,000 to the legal fight against the law that’s come under increasing scrutiny after an elementary school teacher was forced out of her job earlier in the month for wearing a hijab.
Federal leaders, questioned about the law during the federal election campaign in the fall, were wary about committing to any action. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, though, recently said his party would intervene to fight the law when it reaches the Supreme Court.
Dennis’ motion takes aim at federal parties. He announced Friday he’ll bring it to city council for a vote Jan. 17.
“It is abundantly clear that municipalities are leading where the federal government and federal parties have not led,” it reads.
It calls for standing “in solidarity” with other municipalities against the law, but doesn’t suggest donating funds for legal challenges via the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the World Sikh Organization and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
“I don’t want to embarrass anyone, putting them on the spot with respect to a legal donation to the fund,” said Dennis, noting city council recently turned down “some very worthy projects” amid budget pressures.
“But that’s something that council can debate and talk about.”
-with files from the Toronto Sun