Supreme Court to decide next week whether to hear challenge to Quebec secularism law

MONTREAL — The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next week whether it will hear a challenge to Quebec’s secularism law, known as Bill 21.

The groups seeking leave to appeal say they have been informed the country’s highest court is expected to publish its decision on Thursday.

In 2024 the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the law, which prohibits some public sector workers such as teachers and police officers from wearing religious symbols on the job.

Groups including the National Council for Canadian Muslims, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the English Montreal School Board have sought leave to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court.

The Quebec government has long argued the 2019 law is reasonable, and the province’s justice minister has said he intends to vigorously defend it against all challenges.

Bill 21 pre-emptively invokes Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to shield the legislation from any court challenges over fundamental rights violations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2025.

The Canadian Press