Summary#
Bill No. 9, presented by Jean-François Roberge, Minister Responsible for Secularism, aims to strengthen the rules of secularism and religious neutrality in Quebec.
It would expand the application of certain rules to:
- early childhood centers, subsidized daycare, and subsidized family childcare services;
- private educational institutions accredited for subsidies;
- contracted private health establishments;
- intermediate resources and family-type resources;
- individuals providing certain services in schools or in reception, francization, and integration programs.
The bill notably provides for:
- the obligation to have an uncovered face in certain places and during certain educational, training, or professional development services;
- the prohibition of certain religious symbols for new categories of staff, with acquired rights in certain situations;
- the prohibition of religious practice in several places under the authority of public bodies, with exceptions;
- limits on the display of religious symbols in the communications of the targeted organizations;
- the prohibition of requiring a student to wear a religious symbol;
- rules regarding meals offered exclusively according to a religious precept or tradition;
- more precise criteria for requests for religious accommodation;
- the prohibition of holding a collective religious practice in a street or public park without municipal authorization;
- fines for certain prohibited collective religious practices and for obstructing a practice in a place of worship.
The Minister Responsible for Secularism would also obtain new powers for verification, directives, and follow-up with the concerned organizations.
The bill would amend the Act on State Secularism and the Act on Private Education. It would also abolish the Act on the Freedom of Worship and the current law on religious neutrality and religious accommodations.
The text still contains several dates and references to be completed. The exact timeline could therefore change. Some measures would come into effect on September 1, 2026. The provisions regarding the revocation of an accreditation of a private establishment would come into effect three years after the law is enacted.
What This Means for You#
- Daycare and certain private school staff: new restrictions on wearing religious symbols may apply. Acquired rights would be provided for certain individuals already in position.
- Students: an institution could generally not require the wearing of a religious symbol. The rules governing religious accommodations would be more precise.
- Parents and children in childcare services: accommodations must respect the quality of services, the educational program, as well as the health and safety of children.
- Individuals receiving services: in several places or situations, the face must be uncovered to receive a service or to be in a location covered by the law.
- Public organizations and private providers: they would need to take measures to implement the new rules, including in certain service contracts.
- Municipalities and users of public spaces: a collective religious practice in a street or park would require exceptional municipal authorization.
- Places of worship: it would be prohibited to prevent, limit, or disturb a religious practice in a place of worship or to block access to it.
The bill states that its new rules would apply despite certain protections provided by the Quebec Charter and the Canadian Constitution. This could lead to challenges in court.
Costs#
No official cost estimates are provided in the presented text.
The targeted organizations may have to bear costs related to:
- staff training;
- updating policies and procedures;
- handling complaints and accommodation requests;
- audits and follow-up measures;
- adapting communications, catering services, and contracts.
Municipalities may also have to process authorization requests related to collective religious practices in streets and parks.
Supporters' Viewpoint#
Supporters may argue that the bill:
- clarifies the rules of secularism in more public and subsidized services;
- promotes uniform application of the rules in daycares, schools, and certain services;
- strengthens the neutrality of state institutions;
- protects equality between women and men in the treatment of accommodations;
- prevents a subsidized private establishment from operating primarily according to religious rules;
- gives the government better means to verify the application of the law.
No publicly available information.
Opponents' Viewpoint#
Opponents may argue that the bill:
- further limits freedom of religion and freedom of conscience;
- risks disproportionately affecting certain religious minorities;
- could prevent individuals from receiving a service if they do not uncover their face;
- expands the powers of the minister and the obligations imposed on organizations;
- creates uncertainty due to several exceptions and acquired rights;
- could lead to significant challenges based on rights and freedoms;
- imposes new responsibilities on municipalities regarding religious gatherings.
No publicly available information.