Quebec May Ban All Civil Servants from Wearing Religious Symbols

Crosses, burkas, turbans and the like

Public employees would not be allowed to wear overt religious symbols at work under the proposed charter of Quebec values, released by the Parti Québécois today.

The minister in charge of the charter, Bernard Drainville, announced at the national assembly that, if adopted by the legislation, the wearing of kippas, turbans, burkas, hijabs and "large" crosses would be banned for civil servants while they are on the job.

"If the state is neutral, those working for the state should be equally neutral in their image," said Drainville.

The plan would apply to judges, police, prosecutors, public daycare workers, teachers, school employees, hospital workers, and municipal personnel.