Religion is a historically sensitive topic in Quebec.<\/p>\n
The province is dotted with old Catholic churches\u2014a relic of a time when public institutions like schools and hospitals were under full control of the clergy. That era ended with the Quiet Revolution in 1960, when Quebecers purged the church from those institutions in favour of secularism.<\/p>\n
Tensions over religion shifted as Quebec in recent decades welcomed more newcomers, and the province began discussing whether it should pass similar laws to France, which banned public school students from wearing religious attire in 2004.<\/p>\n
In 2008, a provincial commission on accommodating religious minorities recommended a form of “open secularism” where religious symbols could not be worn by people in public positions of authority. That became the backbone of Bill 21.<\/p>\n
These debates unfolded alongside broader concerns about preserving Quebec’s French identity, said Elizabeth Elbourne, a historian at McGill University. At the heart of the discussion, she said, is whether Quebec sees itself “as a multicultural society” or one that is more “assimilationist”.<\/p>\n
The Quebec government, still under the helm of Premier Legault, is now seeking to expand its secularism laws to include all staff at public schools, not just teachers and principals, and to daycare centres. It also wants to ban prayer in public spaces. <\/p>\n
The law includes an exemption to those who were working before it was proposed, like Robicheau.<\/p>\n
But dozens of other Montreal school staff hired more recently have been fired or suspended, according to union leaders. Those who are currently exempt could risk losing their jobs if they seek to change roles or pursue promotions.<\/p>\n
All these measures have been controversial, but polls indicate a majority of Quebecers support them.<\/p>\n