Working site on citizenship and multiculturalism issues.
2013/12/13 Leave a comment
More criticism of the Quebec charter, by another of the unions, advocating and expanded version of Bouchard-Taylor (limited to officials in position of authority) by adding teachers. The union also favours maintaining the rights of existing officials that would be affected by the charter, creating two classes of officials. Hardly workable, but then so neither is the Charter.
2013/12/11 Leave a comment
While the headline refers to the proposed Quebec charter, this is one of the few interviews that I have seen with the head of the Office of Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, on the nature of some of his discussions abroad.
Normal that once one opens these types of discussions with other countries that Canadian issues also get raised, with the proposed charter being an easy target. A bit ironic given the Canadian government’s criticism of many UN processes and committees that provide similar opportunities for criticism of Canada when we raise human rights or other issues.
Charte des valeurs: des échos jusqu’en Turquie | JOËL-DENIS BELLAVANCE | Politique canadienne.
2013/09/22 Leave a comment
Quiet day. Reflecting the divisions among the sovereignists, those in favour of the Charter are planning their strategy, and aim a cheap shot at Gérard Bouchard:
Des souverainistes pro-Charte se rassemblent à Montréal | Hugo Pilon-Larose | Politique québécoise.
Meanwhile, back to reality with Amnesty International’s public position noting that the proposed Charter limits the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of religion:
Amnesty International slams Quebec charter for limiting ‘fundamental rights’
And lastly, a good analysis in the Globe about France’s experience with its laicisme approach, including the latest Charter of Secularism at school. The original decision to ban the veil at government schools was subject of considerable discussion and reflection; and was grounded in fears that there was a fair amount of compulsion for teenage girls to wear the hijab (not voluntary). But as these measures are imposed, people opt-out of the government schools, undermining the policy objective of inclusion.
How the French promotion of secularism offers a cautionary lesson for Quebec
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Multicultural Meanderings 