"[T]he feds [are] saying to the Supremes: We express no opinion on the substance of this law, but we’re going to need *you* to say what you think about it. Coming as it does after half a decade of Liberal self-congratulation for their courage on the matter, that’s a lot to swallow."
No position on any basis
https://paulwells.substack.com/p/no-position-on-any-basis
1/3
My own opinions relevant to the case:
1. Governments should generally be neutral or even positive about religion, not secular. Teachers ought not to prosyletize in public schools, but they ought to be allowed to wear items that show their religion. I oppose this law.
2. But yes, employers have the right to set dress codes; this is a particular dress code I object to. It's especially silly because a Christian teacher can wear a turban to class, but a Sikh can't.
2/3
3. Of course #Québec can insulate this law from judicial review by using the #NotwithstandingClause.
4. It's good that S. 33 is in the Charter of Rights. Courts play an important role in protecting our rights, but they're not infallible. Let legislatures have the final word.
5. A more serious constitutional issue is that #Québec purports to have unilaterally amended the constitution, and many MNAs are in flagrant violation of it. Crickets from the feds.
3/3
M. Grégoire