Frequently Asked Questions
"An Act respecting the laicity of the State", or Bill 21 as it is commonly known, was passed into law on June 16, 2019. In a nutshell, the law prohibits some public servants (e.g. school teachers, police officers) from wearing religious symbols on the job. Although a聽lot of media and literature responding to the legislature has been circulating, we believe that students should be reminded of the opportunity to study the law themselves and form their own opinions as members of our academically free institution.聽The goal of this聽FAQ is to render more transparent the effects of the law on student and university life. While legal challenges are expected to continue, the law remains essentially in effect at present (2024).聽
Related: A survey聽was conducted recently to assess the impact of Law 21 on career choice among students in Education and Law in Qu茅bec. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board of 看片视频 Read the online.
What counts as a religious symbol for the purposes of this law?
Religious symbols are defined in the law as follows: 鈥淎 religious symbol, within the meaning of this section, is any object, including clothing, a symbol, jewelry, an adornment, an accessory or headwear, that (1) is worn in connection with a religious conviction or belief; or (2) is reasonably considered as referring to a religious affiliation.鈥
Can I still wear a religious symbol on campus?
Yes. The provincial law banning religious symbols for certain public servants does not apply to the general population or to students.
If I wear a religious symbol, can I still be employed by 看片视频 (e.g. as a TA, Reasearch Assistant, etc.)?
Yes. Although elementary and secondary school teachers employed in the public sector are prohibited from wearing religious symbols, this ban does not apply to college and university teachers or to any other employee of 看片视频 University in the exercise of their functions.
Can I still pray, worship, or otherwise practice my faith on campus?
Yes. One option is MORSL鈥檚 drop-in centre, which houses a small non-denominational聽prayer and meditation room聽for silent reflection. Additionally, MORSL鈥檚 website offers a listing of faith-based聽student clubs/groups on campus, a directory of聽places of worship聽in Montreal, and a list of聽community faith volunteers聽who are available to our students. Although 看片视频 University is a secular institution, a number of community organizations adjacent to campus offer space for worship and religious practice, such as the聽, the Jack Reitman聽聽and the聽.
What should I do if I wear a religious symbol and my academic program leads to employment in the public service (e.g. education, law)?
As long as the law remains in effect, certain public sector employment opportunities will continue to be impacted in Quebec. Several legal challenges (by the聽,听, and by a school board, among others) were launched in the days and months following its adoption, but at present (2024) the law remains in effect. Make sure you carefully review the section of the law that lists all persons subject to the prohibition on wearing religious symbols in the exercise of their job functions (Schedule II).聽Even when exploring jobs in the private sector (e.g. private schools, private law firms), take note that there may be instances when the prohibition may still apply to you, such as if you are appearing before a magistrate in a case where a government body has contracted your legal services. If your employment prospects will be impacted by this law, speak to聽Career Planning Services聽and/or your聽academic advisor聽to discuss your options.
How will this law affect the internships/stages/work placements that are part of my program?
During your internship, you retain your status as a university student, not as an employee. However, the rules of your placement environment may not allow you to wear religious symbols, depending on the role you will have during your placement.
How can I learn more about this law?
Read the聽, in English.
What is 看片视频 University's stance on this law?
Read the聽statement聽issued on June 18, 2019 by Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic), Christopher Manfredi, regarding Laicity law (Bill 21):on the June 16, 2019 Laicity law (Bill 21):
[Text of message]
"La version fran莽aise suit.
Dear members of the 看片视频 community,
On June 16, 2019, Quebec鈥檚 National Assembly passed Bill 21, an act respecting the laicity of the State, into law.
Inclusion is a fundamental value of the 看片视频 community and the University reiterates its commitment to embrace and welcome diversity and inclusion.
As a university in the Province of Quebec, 看片视频 supports the broadest possible access to higher education and believes that the diversity of our community contributes to the richness of daily life, not only of our university but also of our city and province. While the law will not change our policies and practices, we are concerned that it will affect and unnecessarily restrict some of our students鈥 future employment opportunities.
With best regards,
Professor Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)
- - - - - -聽
Chers membres de la communaut茅 mcgilloise,
Le 16 juin 2019, l鈥橝ssembl茅e nationale du Qu茅bec a adopt茅 le projet de loi 21 : Loi sur la la茂cit茅 de l鈥櫭塼at.
L鈥檌nclusion est une valeur fondamentale de la communaut茅 mcgilloise et l鈥橴niversit茅 r茅it猫re son engagement en mati猫re d鈥檌nclusion et de respect de la diversit茅.
En tant qu鈥檜niversit茅 qu茅b茅coise, 看片视频 encourage sans r茅serve l鈥檃cc猫s 脿 l鈥檈nseignement sup茅rieur et croit que la diversit茅 de sa communaut茅 contribue 脿 la richesse de la vie, et ce, non seulement sur ses campus, mais 茅galement au sein de la ville et de la province. Bien que la Loi n鈥檈ntra卯nera pas de changement 脿 l鈥櫭ゞard de nos politiques et de nos pratiques, nous craignons n茅anmoins qu鈥檈lle restreigne inutilement les occasions professionnelles pour certains de nos 茅tudiants.
Cordialement,
Professeur Christopher Manfredi, vice-principal ex茅cutif et vice-principal aux 茅tudes"
Where can I find support?
Please refer to our聽list of support resources, below.
Support Resources
From our own contacts and from resources provided by student associations, the following is a list of on- and off-campus resources for those directly or indirectly affected by Bill 21.
Do you know of a resource we haven't listed? morsl [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Resource%20to%20support%20students%20affected%20by%20Bill%2021) (Email us) to share it with our community!
On-Campus Support | Contact |
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看片视频 Office Of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL) | 3610 McTavish Street (3rd Floor), Montr茅al, QC.聽 贰尘补颈濒听morsl [at] mcgill.ca.聽 颁补濒濒听(514)-398-4104. |
Office of the Dean of Students | 3600 McTavish, Montr茅al, QC.聽 贰尘补颈濒听deanofstudents [at] mcgill.ca.聽 颁补濒濒听(514) 398-4990. |
Office for Mediation and Reporting | 贰尘补颈濒听sinead.hunt [at] mcgill.ca.聽 颁补濒濒听(514) 398-6419. |
(MSA) | 贰尘补颈濒听president [at] msamcgill.com. |
See Facebook page. | |
贰尘补颈濒听pub.licm [at] mail.mcgill.ca.聽 颁补濒濒听(514) 398-6792. |
看片视频 Affiliates | Contact |
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3429 Peel, Montreal, QC. 贰尘补颈濒听info [at] chabadmcgill.com.聽 颁补濒濒听(514) 845-4443. | |
3460 Stanley, Montr茅al, QC H3A 1R8. | |
3484 Peel, Montreal, QC H3A 3T6.聽 贰尘补颈濒听newmancentre [at] mail.mcgill.ca. 颁补濒濒听(514) 398-4106. |
Off-Campus Support | Contact |
---|---|
Canadian Civil Liberties Association: a non-profit dedicated to defending civil liberties and constitutional rights through advocacy in- and out-of-court. Along with the National council for Canadian Muslims, they are leading the court challenge against Bill 21. | 贰尘补颈濒听mail [at] ccla.org.聽 颁补濒濒听416-363-0321. |
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs: Advocacy wing of the Jewish Federations of Canada, raising awareness about issues that impact the Jewish community and fighting discrimination against Jewish peoples. | 贰尘补颈濒听info [at] cija.ca.聽 颁补濒濒听416-638-1991. |
Coalition Inclusion Quebec: Network of community groups opposed to Bill 21. | 贰尘补颈濒听Coalitioninclusionquebec [at] gmail.com. |
430 St. Roch, Montr茅al, QC H3N 1K2. 颁补濒濒听(514) 270-6600. |
|
2520 Laval Road, Ville St. Laurent, QC H4L 3A1.聽 Email info [at] icqmontreal.com. 颁补濒濒听(514) 331-1770. | |
: Organization formed to support femme-identifying people affected by the 鈥渞easonable accommodation鈥 debate. Offers advocacy, psychological, and accompaniment services for those affected by discrimination. | 颁补濒濒听514-447-5141. |
: Canada-wide organization facilitating civic engagement for Muslim people, offering advocacy and support, and provides training to Canadian Muslim communities on civil liberties and human rights | 颁补濒濒听866-524-0004. |
Quebec Inclusif: Publication group advocating for inclusivity in Quebec policy | 1010 Sherbrooke Ouest.聽 贰尘补颈濒听quebecinclusif [at] gmail.com. |
: Coalition that has taken a stance against Bill 21 in support of educators targeted by the bill, helping to run the Non 脿 la loi 21 campaign | 3285 Cavendish Blvd.聽 贰尘补颈濒听nonalaloi21 [at] gmail.com. 颁补濒濒听514-481-5619. |
贰尘补颈濒听info [at] ventovertea.com | |
: Provides a united voice for the Sikh community worldwide, offering legal counsel and advocacy | See website. |