The Public GalleryToronto

←Toronto City Council · 2019-10-29 · 2019.MM11.20

The filed record

City of Toronto Condemning Quebec's Bill 21 (An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State) - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow

The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.

The decision

2019-10-29 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on October 29 and 30, 2019, adopted the following: 1. City Council oppose Quebec's Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of the State and reaffirm the City's commitment to upholding religious freedoms as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 2. City Council endorse the initiative proposed by Calgary City Council and supported by the Regional Municipality of Peel that asks the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, of which the City of Toronto is a member, to create a nationwide campaign that highlights the harmful widespread impacts of Bill 21 on social cohesion and inclusion in Canada.

Show the rest of As filed, 105 more characters as filed

3. City Council encourage the Federal Government to unequivocally condemn and challenge Quebec's Bill 21.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 24-0

For (24)Ana Bailão, Anthony Perruzza, Brad Bradford, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata, Gary Crawford, Gord Perks, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Jim Karygiannis, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Josh Matlow, Kristyn Wong-Tam, Mark Grimes, Michael Ford, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle, Mike Layton, Paul Ainslie, Paula Fletcher, Shelley Carroll, Stephen Holyday
Absent (2)Jaye Robinson, John Tory
The whole record, all 26 members

Every name opens that member’s record.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

On June 16, 2019 Quebec's provincial government passed, Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of the State. Bill 21 is a legislated ban on public servants in Quebec who wish to publicly display religious symbols. Bill 21 will ban police offers, teachers, bureaucrats from wearing religious symbols such as Hijabs, Sikh turbans, and Jewish Kippah. Bill 21 is a strategic attempt to stifle and limit the civic participation of individuals who choose to wear religious symbols under the guise of secularism.

Show the rest of As the city filed it, 786 more characters as filed

This Bill disproportionately impacts Muslims, Sikhs, and Jews who all participate in different forms of religious symbols. On June 17, 2019, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, National Council of Canadian Muslims, and Ischrak Nourel Hak filed a constitutional challenge of law. This misguided Bill is a significant step toward the growing polarization and marginalization of religious minorities. As the largest municipality in Canada and one of the most diverse cities in the world, the City of Toronto should join a growing group of Canadian municipalities that have publicly condemned Quebec's Bill 21. This Motion is urgent as Bill 21 is currently before the courts. There is an upcoming hearing in November to determine if Quebec's religious symbols law should be suspended.

Staff recommended

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow, recommends that: 1. City Council oppose Quebec's Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of the State and reaffirm the City's commitment to upholding religious freedoms as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 2. City Council endorse the initiative proposed by Calgary City Council and supported by the Regional Municipality of Peel that asks the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, of which the City of Toronto is a member, to create a nationwide campaign that highlights the harmful widespread impacts of Bill 21 on social cohesion and inclusion in Canada.

Show the rest of Staff recommended, 105 more characters as filed

3. City Council encourage the Federal government to unequivocally condemn and challenge Quebec's Bill 21.

    On the record

    The item as the City filed it

    More from this meeting

    The whole meeting