1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

For the Prime Minister:

 

Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.  

Prime Minister of Canada 

Langevin Block 

Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A2 

 

Dear Prime Minister: 

              

For a Member of Parliament:

 

Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. ____ ____, MP 

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON 

K1A 0A6

 

Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. ____:

I am concerned with how our national government is planning to respond to Quebec’s Bill 21 on Secularism.

The wearing of religious symbols does not hinder anyone from carrying out their government tasks in a professional unbiased manner nor does it infringe on the rights of others who may have official government interactions with them. People who wear religious symbols do so to mark themselves as committed followers of their faith and to honor it in traditional ways. They believe they have the freedom, granted by our laws, to live their faith peacefully and respectfully in society. Although I live in Alberta, I try to live out my Catholic faith daily and would feel constrained in a province where Bill 21 would be in effect.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 15.1 states “Every individual is equal before and under the law to equal benefit without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion…” Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante is particularly concerned that Bill 21 “tells municipalities who they can and cannot hire.” Other city councils have also condemned Bill 21. Also, Section 32 of the Charter states that the Charter applies to the legislature and government of all provinces.

I urge you to work together with the other national parties to help strike down Bill 21 for the good of all those who have come to our country to seek a life free to practice their faith in peace.

When do you plan to take steps to rectify this infringement on religious freedom in Canada?

 

Respectfully yours,