Support legal challenge against Quebec's Bill 21 religious symbol ban

Councillor Votes

Full Resolution Text

Whereas, the City of Peterborough is a diverse community, where many people wear religious symbols including turbans, hijabs, Kippa, the cross and many others; and Whereas, the fundamental right of religious freedom is protected by the Charter of Rights in Freedoms; and Whereas, Peterborough is one of Canada’s fastest growing and most multicultural and diverse municipalities, stands firmly in support religious freedom which is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights; and Whereas, many municipalities have come out in opposition to Quebec’s Bill 21 which discriminates against people of faith who wear religious symbols at work; and Whereas, Peterborough Council stands in solidarity with National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the World Sikh Organization (WSO), and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) in their legal challenge against Bill 21 in Quebec; a) Therefore Be It Resolved that Peterborough Council support, in principle, the legal challenge against the discrimination of freedom of religion in Quebec’s Bill 21; and further b) That staff be directed to transfer $10,000 from the General Contingency Reserves to the City of Peterborough's Community Development Program regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.