Bill 62 has 'no place in Canada': Wynne, MPPs speak out against Quebec's religious neutrality law

Premier Kathleen Wynne was among those speaking out against Quebec's controversialreligious neutrality law at Queen's Park on Thursday morning.

"This is the kind of action that drives wedges in communities," said Wynne.

The law, which wouldeffectively force Muslim women who wear aniqaborburkato uncover their faces to use public services, will push women already at the margins "further into isolation,"Wynnecontinued.

• What you need to know about Quebec's religious neutrality legislation
• 'I should see your face, and you should see mine,' Quebec premier says of new religious neutrality law

The Liberal government'sBill 62on religious neutrality was passedWednesday in Quebec's NationalAssembly. Itprohibitspublic workers such asdoctors, teachers and daycare employees as well as those receiving aservice from the government from covering their faces.

NepeanCarleton MPPLisa MacLeod, speaking for the Progressive Conservatives on Thursday, said the legislation "has no place in Canada."

Whether someone wears a cross, turban, or niqab, they should "never be denied a public service," she said.

Niqab-wearing woman criticizes Quebec's new law

7 years ago

Duration 0:53

Zayneb Binruchd says she would rather stay home than be forced to take off her niqab to ride a bus in Quebec, after the province passed a law obliging citizens to uncover their faces when giving and receiving public services.

London West MPPPeggy Sattlerechoed that sentiment, calling Bill 62's adoption "an unprecedented action in Canada."

Speaking for the New Democrats, she said the party supports women's rights to autonomy over their own bodies."This bill has nothing to do with secularism or public safety," she added.

In Quebec, the Liberals who hold a majority voted in favour of the bill, while all the other parties voted against it.

The two main opposition parties, the Parti Qubcois and Coalition Avenir Qubec, say the legislation doesn'tgo far enough, while civil rights advocates and Muslim groups have called it discriminatory.