Ottawa presents a notice to intervene at the Supreme Court Hearing on the Quebec secularism bill

The federal government has officially submitted a notice to intervene at the Hearing of the Canada Supreme Court on the Quebec secularism law.

The Superior Court announced in January that it had granted permission to appeal to several groups that oppose the law, although a date for the hearing has not been established.

Bill 21 draft was approved in 2019 and prohibits public officials in positions of authority, including police teachers and officers, using religious symbols at work.

The Department of Justice says that the federal government is committed to defending the rights of all Canadians, including freedom of religion.

Quebec Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, says that the Federal Government’s decision is an attack on Quebec autonomy, and promises to defend the law.

Quebec invoked the clause despite the Charter of Canadian rights and freedoms to protect the bill 21 of constitutional challenges, and the lower courts have largely maintained the law.