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431-00037 (Civil and human rights)

Petition to the House of Commons

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas the province of Quebec has passed An Act respecting the laicity of the State ("Bill 21"), that restricts the wearing of religious symbols; and;

Whereas our federation is built on a diverse community, where many Canadians wear religious symbols including turbans, hijabs, kippas, crosses and many other symbols; and

Whereas the fundamental right of religious freedom is enshrined in the Canadian Constitution; and

Whereas national civil rights groups, including: the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, B'nai Brith Canada, the World Sikh Organization, the Canadian Bar Association, Amnesty International, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs have condemned the legislation's infringement on Canadians' rights; and

Whereas the federal government bears a responsibility to stand up in defence of the Canadian multicultural mosaic;

We the undersigned therefore, urge the House of Commons to formally denounce Bill 21.

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David Lametti

The position of the Government of Canada is clear and well known. Some Quebecers have initiated legal proceedings to defend their rights. The legal process is working as it should, and we are monitoring the matter closely.

Presented to the House of Commons
Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan)
January 27, 2020 (Petition No. 431-00037)
Government response tabled
March 11, 2020
Photo - Garnett Genuis
Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.