As thousands raise their voice against Quebec's value charter, there are demands of withdrawing it. One such protest march in Montreal had about at least 40,000 people participating, according to organisers.

It is, however, important to know what the Parti Québécois minority government wants to mean by the Charter of Quebec Values. The charter cites an obligation to be independent from any kind of religious authority. The draft strongly suggests that the government is keen on separating state from religion while curtailing religious accommodations.

On the contrary, the government is not proposing many other things which are presumed. That is why it is extremely important to be acquainted with what it really asks you to do and what it does not.

You are not allowed to:

  • Wear any kind of religious headwear including turban, hijab, large crucifix, kippa or other "ostentatious" symbol of any religion. This is applicable to employees in the public sector, which include teachers, daycare workers, provincial court judges, university staff municipal employees and police.
  • Hide your face with any religious clothing if you provide or receive any kind of government service.
  • Receive a 5-year opt-out from the ban if you are a daycare worker or elementary school teacher. The opt-out will be available for certain other organisations.

On the other hand, you are allowed to:

  • Be exempt from the ban if you are an elected member of the Quebec legislature.
  • Keep religious elements and symbols if it is "emblematic of Quebec's cultural heritage".
  • Wear smaller religious symbols such as earrings with the Islamic crescent, a ring with a Star or a necklace with a tiny crucifix.
  • Receive subsidies for your religious private schools.
  • Attend religious prayers at meetings of the municipal council
  • Enjoy tax exemptions for mosques, churches, synagogues or any other religious structures.

Video source: YouTube/thelinknewspaper