The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to review a legal challenge against Quebec’s secularism law, Bill 21. The court granted permission for the appeal without providing a reason, as is customary.
Bill 21 bans certain public employees, including judges, police officers, prison guards, and teachers, from wearing religious symbols while on duty.
Quebec’s justice minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette, and secularism minister, Jean-François Roberge, released a joint statement saying they will defend the law “until the end.” They argued that Quebec has the right to make decisions that reflect its history, values, and identity.
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced it will intervene in the case and present arguments against Bill 21 in the Supreme Court. Quebec officials criticized this move, calling it an attack on the province’s autonomy.
Bill 21 became law on June 16, 2019, under the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government. To protect it from legal challenges, Quebec used the notwithstanding clause in the Constitution, which must be renewed every five years. The clause was last renewed in 2024.
Despite this, legal challenges have been ongoing. The law was upheld in Quebec’s Superior Court and Court of Appeal, except for a ruling that allowed members of the National Assembly to wear religious symbols. The Superior Court also supported English-language school boards, which claimed the law violated their rights, but this decision was overturned in 2024.
Now, the Supreme Court will have the final say on the future of Bill 21.

What a materiawl of un-ambiguity annd preserveness of precious experience concerning unjpredicted feelings.