City of Kelowna councillors passed a symbolic motion on Oct. 21 in opposition to Quebecsa国际传媒檚 Bill 21.

Bill 21, also known as the secularism law, bans Quebecsa国际传媒檚 teachers, police officers, judges and other public officials from wearing items like hijabs, turbans, kippas and crucifixes while at work. The law also affirms pre-existing legislation that requires citizens to uncover their faces when accessing public services, such as municipal transit and the legal system.

Councillors voted unanimously in support of the motion presented by Coun. Mohini Singh, following the suit of several Canadian cities that have already opposed the bill.

sa国际传媒淲hen this first became law, I was aghast; I was horrified,sa国际传媒� said Singh.

sa国际传媒淚 didnsa国际传媒檛 think me, as a little city councillor, could do anything about this. Brampton passed a motion similar to ours and then when Calgary did, I took notice.sa国际传媒�

Singh cited a statement Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi made upon his citysa国际传媒檚 motion against the bill: sa国际传媒淚t is late, we are making this action late. But itsa国际传媒檚 never too late to do the right thing.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淭his is a nasty, mean spirited, demeaning, racist law,sa国际传媒� said Singh.

sa国际传媒淭his doesnsa国际传媒檛 just impact the people of Quebec, this has nationwide implications.

sa国际传媒淭his creates two classes of Canadians and it absolutely violates the very tenets on which Canadian society was built.sa国际传媒�

Singhsa国际传媒檚 fellow councillors shared similar sentiments regarding the bill.

Despite some community pushback due to this bill being out of councilsa国际传媒檚 jurisdiction, Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said sa国际传媒渁ll leaders need to speak to injustice.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淒ivision methodically happens over time with the silence of good people and I truly believe no one has the right to take away someonesa国际传媒檚 right to practice their religion,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淒iversity and inclusion make us stronger.sa国际传媒�

Coun. Charlie Hodge said he was sa国际传媒渟urprisedsa国际传媒� this issue is still coming up.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 very important for all elected officials, no matter what level theysa国际传媒檙e at, to say that Bill 21 is wrong,sa国际传媒� he said.

While Coun. Luke Stack said he normally doesnsa国际传媒檛 like weighing in on issues outside of the citysa国际传媒檚 jurisdiction but this caught his attention.

sa国际传媒淲e have worked so tirelessly and diligently towards becoming an inclusive society where all can feel the freedom to believe what they want and wear what they want,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淎s long as yousa国际传媒檙e a responsible citizen, you have the freedom to live your life the way you want.sa国际传媒�

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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