An English-speaking elementary school teacher in Outlays has been transferred to a non-authoritative position because his hijab violates state secular law, which prohibits teachers from wearing religious symbols in class.
Fatehmeh Anwari was already teaching at Chelsea Elementary School, about 15 kilometers north of Ottawa. Human Resources recently offered her a class, but she had to change her mind because of the state’s secular law, says Wayne Daley, executive chairman of the Western Quebec School Board. “It was taken in this context, but there is a difference between an alternative teacher who does not classify students or someone who oversees lunch time. They do not fall under Rule 21,” he explains.Me Anwari has been “transferred” to another position within the elementary school.
The state secular law, passed by the National Assembly in June 2019, prohibits civil servants in mandatory positions of authority, such as judges, police officers, prison guards, and network teachers, from wearing religious symbols to perform their duties.
The law is common to all. I firmly believe she knows about the law. She is wearing a hijab and trying to make a statement. That is the law. The law is hard, but the law. The law is hard, but it is the law.
Wayne Daley mentions To The school administration has clearly expressed its opposition to this law. “I think the majority of Quebec people support it. But not so in the English-speaking industry.”
However, he denies any connection between the story and the labor shortage. “I have more than 1000 employees in the school administration. There is a person, a problem. It was not as if 100 teachers had been missed and the place could not be filled. There is already another teacher in the class. “
The political class has been challenged
This apparent first application of Act 21 was echoed in the corridors of the National Assembly. “We have clearly discussed the need for secularism for positions of power over this law, here and in Parliament for many years. So it is from this law and this consensus that is widespread in the Quebec community, ”said Benoit Chard, the minister in charge of the fight against racism.
The Quebec Party Deputy Pascal defended Law 21 by the voice of Probation. “The reason the teacher is out of work now is because he does not respect the law. The law is common to all. I firmly believe she knows about the law. She is wearing a hijab and trying to make a statement. That is the law. The law is hard, but the law. The law is hard, but it is the law. “
Opposition leader Dominique Anglet responded in English, saying he did not know enough about the file to comment in French. “We can not support such a situation. There is no question of it. I do not know the details, but I can not accept it,” he argued in front of reporters.
All errors in this law, [Fatemeh Anvari] Highlights it.
The news also resonated in Ottawa. Liberal MP In a statement, Igra Khalid denounced Bill 21 as “strengthening and divisive systemic prejudices” against the Canadian community. “Our multicultural society protects the right of people to practice their faith in which they can wear their religious identity.”
Leader of the Conservative Party, Erin O’Toole, Declined to comment on Quebec law, except to be questioned by journalists. One of his MPs, Kyle Seebeck, broke the rankings in the qualifying round Act “Absolute Shame” on Twitter21.
“There is a teacher here and we have no doubt about her teaching ability. She cannot teach children by the way she dresses. Everything is wrong with this law. [Fatemeh Anvari] It highlights, ”the leader pleaded New Democrats, Jagmeet Singh. ⁇ […] It is a good thing that there is a legal battle going on in court. “
Court of Appeal
The transfer comes after the Quebec Court of Appeals ruled on November 9 that English language school boards should use state secular law until the courts hear questions on eligibility – which could take years.
School boards have sought an exception, following an April ruling by Quebec’s High Court removing the provisions of the law relating to English school boards. This decision was appealed by the Attorney General of Quebec. Who argued that the law should be enforced without exception.
The Provincial Teachers’ Association of Quebec has stated that they will meet the teacher of Chelsea Primary School in the coming days.
With Mary Vastal, Mary-Michael Seoy and The Canadian Press
