Lise Ravary: Disparaging laïcité is Canada’s new national sport [disparaging multiculturalism is Quebec’s national sport]

Canada loves multiculturalism, and sees no problem with people largely living within their own cultural or religious communities if they so wish. Quebecers prefer interculturalism, and want a fully integrated, equal society.

In 2016, a developer wanted to build up to 80 homes on the South Shore of Montreal intended specifically for Muslims. He had even specified that women should dress modestly when outside their home. Pressure from all sides, even the local imam, quickly put an end to that. A separate religious neighbourhood would be heretical to Quebecers.

But in English Canada, it seems, most people don’t seem to have a problem when public schools close their cafeterias for prayers , with the sexes segregated and girls relegated to the back of the room. I can’t understand why such nonsense is tolerated.

As a citizen of Canada, I respect what Canadians accept, but as a Quebecer, it makes my hair stand on end.

Wouldn’t it be nice if English Canada afforded the vast majority of Quebecers — including some secular Muslims — who support Bill 21 the same openness to Quebec’s way of seeing the world ?

We are culturally different. Not superior, just different. Why is it so hard to respect the obvious?