QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- The Quebec government unveiled a plan Tuesday for religious accommodation in the workplace that forbids public servants from wearing certain religious symbols.
The proposals must still be voted into law, and the two major opposition parties have already said they will oppose the plan as presented.
The Charter of Quebec Values provides certain exceptions but bans the wearing by public servants of Sikh turbans, the Muslim hijab or veil, the Jewish kippa or yarmulke and large Christian crucifixes, the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday.
The rules include a plan to codify the principles of government neutrality in religious matters identified in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Bernard Drainville, minister in charge of proposed legislation, said exemptions for certain institutions, such as hospitals, will be available. He added small religious tokens worn as jewelry, such as a crucifix, crescent or Star of David, would be permissible.
