PM to Quebec: notwithstanding clause should be for ‘exceptional circumstances’
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Quebec premier-designate Francois Legault to carefully consider the consequences before applying the notwithstanding clause to prevent those in positions of authority — such as police officers and teachers — from wearing religious symbols on the job.
The day after winning Monday’s election, Legault vowed to use the powerful constitutional provision, if necessary, to uphold a proposal to prohibit some state employees in Quebec from wearing religious signs, including garments like the Jewish kippa and Muslim hijab.
Legault insisted such a ban is important enough to Quebecers that he’s prepared to invoke the rarely used notwithstanding clause, which would override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Trudeau, however, insisted Wednesday that the clause should be reserved for “exceptional circumstances” and only deployed after lots of deep reflection about its broader ramifications.