QCGN Statement on Superior Court Ruling on Quebec’s Secularism Law

The Quebec Community Groups Network welcomes today’s Superior Court ruling which declares that Quebec’s secularism law – An Act Respecting the laicity of the State – violates Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms regarding minority education rights.

In a landmark ruling for Quebec’s English-speaking community, Justice Marc-André Blanchard declares the legislation does not apply to English school boards and their personnel. Pending an appeal by the government of Quebec, the decision applies to all English school boards in the province and will eventually have an impact for all official language minority school boards across Canada.