As a senator from Quebec, I rise today to register my opposition to Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of the State. This bill, which was introduced by the Government of Quebec, would prohibit teachers, police officers, judges and many others from wearing religious symbols in the performance of their duties.

I am a proud Quebecer, and I know my history. I understand the dominant political role that the Church played in Quebec and the mark it left on generations of Quebecers. I lived through the Quiet Revolution, which was something I supported, and I strongly believe in state secularism. However, Bill 21 is based on a flawed interpretation of secularism, one that is incompatible with Quebec’s religious and constitutional traditions.

Here’s what I said more than 10 years ago when I testified before the Bouchard-Taylor commission:

We should support a Quebec-specific model of secularism . . . in which the state does not promote one particular religion over another but is also not required to ban all religious symbols from public spaces, as radical secularism calls for.

Honourable senators, I know that the Government of Quebec has the constitutional authority to enact Bill 21 and that it has the support of many Quebecers. I take very seriously my responsibility as a senator to consider the opinions and interests of my fellow Quebecers. However, as senators, we are not the agents or representatives of our provincial governments. We were also not appointed to simply channel the opinions of the public, even if the public takes a strong stand. As members of the Parliament of Canada, we have the responsibility to act in the national interest, and it is in the national interest that we defend the rights of religious minorities when they are targeted by discriminatory legislation.

Bill 21 infringes on the fundamental rights of all citizens who choose to publicly express their religious beliefs. Although the bill applies to many religious minorities, including practising Jews and Sikhs, its main focus is Muslim women who wear a hijab or veil. As a Quebecer, a Canadian, a senator and a Jew, I feel compelled to voice my strong opposition to Bill 21. Thank you.