Quebec’s secularism bill is causing tension in society and Montrealers feel powerless to do anything about it, Mayor Valerie Plante told committee members studying the controversial legislation Tuesday. Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante responds to questions during a news conference at City Hall in Montreal on March 20. Quebec’s secularism bill is causing tension in society and Montrealers feel powerless to do anything about it, Plante told committee members studying the controversial legislation Tuesday. ( Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS )The Coalition Avenir Quebec government’s Bill 21 would prohibit public sector workers in positions of authority, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols on the job. “There is a certain feeling of powerlessness in the face of this bill.” Montreal city council voted unanimously in April to oppose the bill, and the mayor has received violent messages online over her public opposition.

Source: thestar May 14, 2019 22:18 UTC