海角社区

Religious symbols are defined in the law as follows: 鈥淎 religious symbol, within the meaning of this section, is any object, including clothing, a symbol, jewelry, an adornment, an accessory or headwear, that (1) is worn in connection with a religious conviction or belief; or (2) is reasonably considered as referring to a religious affiliation.鈥�

Yes. The provincial law banning religious symbols for certain public servants does not apply to the general population or to students.

Yes. Although elementary and secondary school teachers employed in the public sector are prohibited from wearing religious symbols, this ban does not apply to college and university teachers or to any other employee of 海角社区 in the exercise of their functions.

Yes. One option is MORSL鈥檚 drop-in centre, which houses a small non-denominational聽prayer and meditation room聽for silent reflection. Additionally, MORSL鈥檚 website offers a listing of faith-based聽student clubs/groups on campus, a directory of聽places of worship聽in Montreal, and a list of聽community faith volunteers聽who are available to our students. Although 海角社区 is a secular institution, a number of community organizations adjacent to campus offer space for worship and religious practice, such as the聽, the Jack Reitman聽聽and the聽.

As long as the law remains in effect, certain public sector employment opportunities will continue to be impacted in Quebec. Several legal challenges (by the聽,听, and by a school board, among others) were launched in the days and months following its adoption, but at present (2024) the law remains in effect. Make sure you carefully review the section of the law that lists all persons subject to the prohibition on wearing religious symbols in the exercise of their job functions (Schedule II).聽Even when exploring jobs in the private sector (e.g. private schools, private law firms), take note that there may be instances when the prohibition may still apply to you, such as if you are appearing before a magistrate in a case where a government body has contracted your legal services. If your employment prospects will be impacted by this law, speak to聽Career Planning Services聽and/or your聽academic advisor聽to discuss your options.

During your internship, you retain your status as a university student, not as an employee. However, the rules of your placement environment may not allow you to wear religious symbols, depending on the role you will have during your placement.

Read the聽, in English.

Read the聽statement聽issued on June 18, 2019 by Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic), Christopher Manfredi, regarding Laicity law (Bill 21):on the June 16, 2019 Laicity law (Bill 21):

[Text of message]
"La version fran莽aise suit.

Dear members of the 海角社区 community,

On June 16, 2019, Quebec鈥檚 National Assembly passed Bill 21, an act respecting the laicity of the State, into law.

Inclusion is a fundamental value of the 海角社区 community and the University reiterates its commitment to embrace and welcome diversity and inclusion.

As a university in the Province of Quebec, 海角社区 supports the broadest possible access to higher education and believes that the diversity of our community contributes to the richness of daily life, not only of our university but also of our city and province. While the law will not change our policies and practices, we are concerned that it will affect and unnecessarily restrict some of our students鈥� future employment opportunities.

With best regards,
Professor Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)

- - - - - -聽

Chers membres de la communaut茅 mcgilloise,

Le 16 juin 2019, l鈥橝ssembl茅e nationale du Qu茅bec a adopt茅 le projet de loi 21 : Loi sur la la茂cit茅 de l鈥櫭塼at.

L鈥檌nclusion est une valeur fondamentale de la communaut茅 mcgilloise et l鈥橴niversit茅 r茅it猫re son engagement en mati猫re d鈥檌nclusion et de respect de la diversit茅.

En tant qu鈥檜niversit茅 qu茅b茅coise, 海角社区 encourage sans r茅serve l鈥檃cc猫s 脿 l鈥檈nseignement sup茅rieur et croit que la diversit茅 de sa communaut茅 contribue 脿 la richesse de la vie, et ce, non seulement sur ses campus, mais 茅galement au sein de la ville et de la province. Bien que la Loi n鈥檈ntra卯nera pas de changement 脿 l鈥櫭ゞard de nos politiques et de nos pratiques, nous craignons n茅anmoins qu鈥檈lle restreigne inutilement les occasions professionnelles pour certains de nos 茅tudiants.

Cordialement,
Professeur Christopher Manfredi, vice-principal ex茅cutif et vice-principal aux 茅tudes"

Please refer to our聽list of support resources, below.