Richmond Hill council opposes Quebec's Bill 21

Bill 21 bans public servants from wearing religious symbols at work

yorkregion.com
Yoyo Yan
Feb. 22, 2022

Richmond Hill council passed a motion at the Feb. 9 council meeting opposing Quebec's Bill 21.

The city said in a statement that it joins municipalities across Canada in speaking out against the law as discriminatory in nature and undermining the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Quebec's Bill 21 bans public servants from wearing religious symbols, such as crosses, hijabs, turbans and yarmulkes, at work.

According to the statement, the motion aligns with council's strategic priority of "Strong Sense of Belonging" and reaffirms council's support for Richmond Hill as a vibrant, multicultural city that embraces diversity, inclusivity and its cultural heritage.

"Richmond Hill is an inclusive and welcoming community," said Mayor David West. "We are lending our voice to the chorus of calls that denounce this act of discrimination."

"Though this may be happening beyond our borders, these are our neighbours, our family and our friends. We can, and should, speak up when we see injustice happening in the lives of those around us."