City of Kelowna councillors passed a symbolic motion on Oct. 21 in opposition to Quebec乌鸦传媒檚 Bill 21.
Bill 21, also known as the secularism law, bans Quebec乌鸦传媒檚 teachers, police officers, judges and other public officials from wearing items like hijabs, turbans, kippas and crucifixes while at work. The law also affirms pre-existing legislation that requires citizens to uncover their faces when accessing public services, such as municipal transit and the legal system.
Councillors voted unanimously in support of the motion presented by Coun. Mohini Singh, following the suit of several Canadian cities that have already opposed the bill.
乌鸦传媒淲hen this first became law, I was aghast; I was horrified,乌鸦传媒� said Singh.
乌鸦传媒淚 didn乌鸦传媒檛 think me, as a little city councillor, could do anything about this. Brampton passed a motion similar to ours and then when Calgary did, I took notice.乌鸦传媒�
Singh cited a statement Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi made upon his city乌鸦传媒檚 motion against the bill: 乌鸦传媒淚t is late, we are making this action late. But it乌鸦传媒檚 never too late to do the right thing.乌鸦传媒�
乌鸦传媒淭his is a nasty, mean spirited, demeaning, racist law,乌鸦传媒� said Singh.
乌鸦传媒淭his doesn乌鸦传媒檛 just impact the people of Quebec, this has nationwide implications.
乌鸦传媒淭his creates two classes of Canadians and it absolutely violates the very tenets on which Canadian society was built.乌鸦传媒�
Singh乌鸦传媒檚 fellow councillors shared similar sentiments regarding the bill.
Despite some community pushback due to this bill being out of council乌鸦传媒檚 jurisdiction, Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said 乌鸦传媒渁ll leaders need to speak to injustice.乌鸦传媒�
乌鸦传媒淒ivision methodically happens over time with the silence of good people and I truly believe no one has the right to take away someone乌鸦传媒檚 right to practice their religion,乌鸦传媒� he said.
乌鸦传媒淒iversity and inclusion make us stronger.乌鸦传媒�
Coun. Charlie Hodge said he was 乌鸦传媒渟urprised乌鸦传媒� this issue is still coming up.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 very important for all elected officials, no matter what level they乌鸦传媒檙e at, to say that Bill 21 is wrong,乌鸦传媒� he said.
While Coun. Luke Stack said he normally doesn乌鸦传媒檛 like weighing in on issues outside of the city乌鸦传媒檚 jurisdiction but this caught his attention.
乌鸦传媒淲e have worked so tirelessly and diligently towards becoming an inclusive society where all can feel the freedom to believe what they want and wear what they want,乌鸦传媒� he said.
乌鸦传媒淎s long as you乌鸦传媒檙e a responsible citizen, you have the freedom to live your life the way you want.乌鸦传媒�
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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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