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Apr
National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) Is Appealing To Strike Down Bill 21 At the Supreme Court
Written by National Council of Canadian MuslimsWe [National Council of Canadian Muslims] are at the Supreme Court of Canada this week to launch our new battle to strike down Quebec’s Bill 21 law that bans people from wearing hijab and other religious symbols in the public service.
Quebec politicians forced through this law years ago by using a special tool in the Canadian Charter, the Notwithstanding Clause, to shield it from being challenged.
Such a move is not just unconstitutional; it also sets a precedent that unravels the core of Canadian constitutional order.
If politicians can now use our own Charter to destroy the rights of so many in Quebec, then politicians across the country can follow the same precedent to undermine our other rights too.
Free speech, freedom of assembly, protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
Bill 21 thus sets a precedent that puts all those rights at risk.
So do we as Canadians have real guaranteed rights, or do we only have permissions that can be taken away at any time?
