Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Quebec Tightens Secularism Laws with New Restrictions
The government of Quebec is introducing a new law called Bill 9 to make rules about religion in public places even stricter.
This law will ban prayers in schools, universities, hospitals, and day care centers.
It will also stop people from covering their faces in these places.
The government says this will make Quebec more neutral and fair for everyone.
Some people, especially in the Muslim community, feel this law is unfair and targets their religion.
The law is similar to another one passed in 2019 called Bill 21, which already stops some workers from wearing religious symbols.
The government can pass these laws using a special legal tool.
Quebec's new Bill 9 bans prayer in public institutions like schools, universities, hospitals, and day care facilities.
The law also prohibits full face coverings in these institutions.
Fines of C$1,125 will be imposed for groups violating the prayer ban, except for short events with prior approval.
The government argues the law promotes neutrality and equality, while some Muslims feel it targets their community.
Bill 9 extends restrictions from the 2019 Bill 21, which already bans religious symbols for certain public sector employees.
- Who
- Quebec government, Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)
- What
- Introduction of Bill 9 to tighten secularism laws
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- Quebec, Canada
- Why
- To further secularize public institutions and extend restrictions on religious symbols and practices
- Bill
- Bill 9
- Proposed by
- Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)
- Date Introduced
- Thursday
- Fines for Violations
- C$1,125
- Affected Institutions
- Schools, universities, hospitals, day care facilities
- Previous Law
- Bill 21 (2019)
- Secularism Minister
- Jean-François Roberge