EMSB says secular charter endorses bullying

Montreal's largest English-language school board is condemning Quebec's secular charter, saying it brings out the worst in Quebec society.

Montreal's largest English school board says Bill 60 'brings out the worst in Quebec society'

CBC News Posted: Jan 09, 2014 7:54 AM EST | Last Updated: January 9, 2014

RAW | EMSB Vice-Chair Sylvia Lo Bianco on Bill 60

11 years ago

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EMSB Vice-Chair Sylvia Lo Bianco explains why she thinks the proposed secular charter is divisive.

Montreal's largest English-language school board is condemning Quebec's secular charterin a strongly worded statement that accuses the Parti Qubcois government of endorsing bullying.

TheEnglish Montreal School Board (EMSB) saysthat by banning public employeesfrom wearing overtly religious symbols,Bill 60deprives individuals of fundamental rights. The board released its brief to the government publically today.

"This is a government endorsement to bullying," said EMSB spokesman Michael Cohen in an interview.

EMSB votes to defy Quebec secular charter

Cohen said the bill essentially makes it acceptableto single out people for being different a mindset that the school board does not tolerate.

We have all been horrified by the incidents of racism and xenophobia which havepermeated our society since discussion around the charter began- EMSBbrief on Bill 60

"If you are putting out a law where you're saying it's inappropriate to wear a religious symbol ... and you're being treated differently and you're being taunted, you're being ridiculed, you're being bullied... the government is not making our job very easy to combat that," he said.

The EMSBfollows the Lester B. Pearson school board, which denounced the charter last month.

It described Bill 60 asthe 2013 version of Speak White, a controversial Quebec poem thatspeaks about intolerance toward French-speaking people in Canada.

'Horrified by incidents of xenophobia'

In a briefreleased this morning, the EMSBsaidit fears the proposed secular charter will produce a new generation of bullies.

We have all been horrified by the incidents of racism and xenophobia which havepermeated our society since discussion around the charter began," the statement said.

[EDIT]

"This proposed legislation brings out the worst in Quebec society."

The school board says it has no intention of implementing the charter if it is passed by the national assembly.

Public consultationson the proposed legislation begin on Tuesday, before a national assembly committee. Over 200 individuals and organizations are expected to participate.