73% of Quebec Muslim Women Surveyed Are Considering Leaving The Province Because of Bill 21, New Study Finds

“Social Discord and Second-Class Citizenship” provides original research and insights into the damage that Bill 21 does to the social fabric of Quebec, as the law marginalizes Muslim women in ways that were previously unexamined.

The study was completed in collaboration with Abacus Data, Dr. Nadia Z. Hasan (York University) and co-authors Lina El-Bakir and Youmna Badawy. It was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).

“By combining in-depth interviews with ten Muslim women, along with wide surveys with 411 Quebec Muslim women and 750 others in the general Quebec population completed in collaboration with Abacus Data, the study provides an essential snapshot of how Bill 21 systematically corners Muslim women into vulnerable positions as second-class citizens,” said Dr. Nadia Hasan, one of the authors of the report.

“The findings of this study confirm what we all know. The very real and damaging effects of taking away the fundamental rights of your own citizens.” said Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

Snapshot of findings:

• 54% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec have experienced racist and prejudicial remarks from their colleagues at work.
• 49% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec have experienced microaggressions at work.
• 73% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec said that Bill 21 affected their future work prospects.
• 71% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec are considering leaving Quebec for work. Such emigration would lead to an estimated lost income of around $3.2 billion.
• 73% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec have either applied for work outside of Quebec or are considering it.
• 66% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec are considering working for Muslim organizations to avoid Bill 21’s scrutiny.
• 64% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec express mistrust of the government.
• 88% of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec feel that Quebec is a much less welcoming place to live and 90% say that it is a less welcoming place to work because of Bill 21.

Praise From Experts:

“This important study provides compelling evidence for the real and negative impact of Law 21 on Muslim women living in Quebec, especially regarding access to the job market and career advancement opportunities, mental health, rise in verbal and physical aggressions, and gender equality. The study convincingly shows that these negative consequences are far from being limited to women working in public services affected by the law, but extend to Quebec society at large, affecting both public and private sectors. The list of recommendations at the end of the report are excellent and should urgently be put in place.”

-- Professor Amelie Barras, Law and Society, York University

"This important report highlights the ongoing and devastating, but often invisible consequences of Law 21. It shows how the law exceeds its legal reach countering political and judicial views that frame Law 21 as 'limited' or 'meticulously calibrated.' The report confirms the destructive impact of Law 21 on Muslim women’s ability to work within the public sector and to be happy and productive contributors to the province. The report ominously portends the departure of religious minorities from Quebec, and its attendant losses to the province."

-- Professor Natasha Bakht, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa

“En plus d’institutionnaliser l’islamophobie genrée au Québec, de suspendre 38 articles de droits et libertés fondamentaux enchâssés dans la Charte québécoise et de déroger aux articles 2 et 7 à 15 de la Charte canadienne, la loi sur la laïcité de l’État (loi 21) engendre non seulement une déqualification professionnelle des québécoises qui se couvrent de manière islamique, mais dessine aussi les contours d’une mort sociale.

Au quotidien, la législation produit des conséquences réelles et sévères qui exposent les québécoises visiblement musulmanes ainsi que leurs communautés à des insécurités de plusieurs formes sur le territoire québécois. La loi 21 n’est pas une loi sur la laïcité de l’État, elle est une loi sur l’altérité, et surtout, une construction politico-légale de la figure de la musulmane « voilée » comme altérité radicale repoussoir.”

-- Zeinab Diab, a PhD Candidate, Institut d'études religieuses, University of Montreal

To read the full report click here: nccm.ca/bill21study