To reassure the World Sikh Organization of Canada, the Conservatives are emphasizing that they remain against Quebec’s secularism law after several Conservative MPs gave their backing to a provision utilized by Quebec to pass it. On February 13, 2023, the Conservatives unanimously supported a Bloc Quebecois motion asserting that provinces possess a “legitimate right” to utilize the notwithstanding clause – even pre-emptively. The Sikh organization has strongly objected to Quebec’s secularism law, which prevents certain public servants from wearing religious symbols like turbans while on the job. Premier Francois Legault invoked the notwithstanding clause to pass both this legislation and Bill 96, reforming language regulations in the province.
