Quebec labels a bill that bans civil servants from wearing religious symbols

Quebec Minister of immigration diversity and inclusiveness Simon Jolin-Barrette tabled, on Thursday, Bill 21 which is expected to ban civil servants from wearing religious symbols at work, Montreal Gazette reports.

The Bill in question will be preventing civil servants from «wearing symbols such as head coverings like the Kippah, turban, hijabs», BBC explains, adding that civil servants who are already wearing religious symbols «will be exempt from the bill».

The ban will also affect judges, crown prosecutors, police officers, prison guards and school teachers.

Defending the «controversial» bill, Jolin-Barrette said that he «thinks people are reasonable», adding : «I am convinced people targeted by the bill will respect the law».

The National Council of Canadian Muslims criticized Bill 21, calling it a «discriminatory legislation».