Bill 21

The highest court in Canada decides on the motion for leave to intervene in the constitutional challenge of Bill 21. The SCC granted status to 38 interveners, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

CCLA, the National Council for Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and Ichrak Nour El Hak welcome the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to grant leave in the constitutional challenge of Bill 21.

Minister Responsible for Laicity, Jean-François Roberge, introduces Bill 52, An Act to enable the Parliament of Quebec to preserve the principle of parliamentary sovereignty with respect to the Act respecting the laicity of the State. Bill 52 reinvokes the notwithstanding clause to reinforce the effects of Bill 21.

CCLA, the National Council for Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and Ichrak Nour El Hak seek permission from the Supreme Court of Canada to hear an appeal to their constitutional challenge to Bill 21, Quebec’s law which prohibits religious symbols in certain sectors of the public service.

CCLA finds the Court of Appeal of Quebec decision rejecting the constitutional challenge to Bill 21 to be a painful setback in CCLA’s ongoing fight against discrimination. The decision fails to put an end to the government of Quebec’s ongoing undermining of the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals.

CCLA finds the Government of Quebec’s decision to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 21. By continuing to use the notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 21 from legal challenge, the Quebec government is setting a dangerous precedent undermining Charter rights and freedoms of vulnerable and marginalized individuals.

CCLA joined the NCCM and other parties before the highest court in Quebec, arguing that Bill 21 should be struck down. Our arguments focused on the words, history, and structure of the Canadian constitution.

CCLA filed legal submissions against Bill 21 in the Quebec Court of Appeal. In this appeal, CCLA and our litigation partners, the NCCM and Ms. Hak, filed our legal reasons explaining how the law banning religious symbols in many public sector jobs is unconstitutional and should be struck down. 

The Laicité law (Bill 21) has had the most harmful impact on those Muslim women who wear hijab and wish to be teachers in Quebec’s public schools. This is a disproportionate violation of the rights of women, most of whom come from minority religious, racialized, and immigrant communities.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) are announcing our intention to appeal the Quebec Superior Court decision regarding Bill 21 to the Quebec Court of Appeal.

Part of Quebec’s Bill 21 (anti-religious law) has been struck down.

We are now entering the second stage of the trial challenging Bill 21 – the Laicity Act in Quebec. All of the evidence has now been presented before the court: the witnesses and experts have been examined and cross-examined. On November 30^th the court will begin to hear almost 3 weeks of legal arguments, beginning with our excellent team of lawyers. They will explain to the court why, notwithstanding the notwithstanding clause, the law banning religious symbols in many workplaces is unconstitutional and must be struck down. The three other plaintiff parties, the government respondents, and multiple intervenors will also have their opportunity to be heard by the court. The trial is currently scheduled to conclude on December 17^th.

Our challenge against the Laicity Act (Bill 21), in which we will demonstrate that the law is unconstitutional and invalid, is scheduled to occur at the Quebec Superior Court. CCLA, NCCM and Hak will be in court for around five weeks fighting against the law. There are three other challenges that will be heard together with ours. The trial will have two parts: first witnesses, then legal arguments. CCLA, NCCM, and Hak are grateful to our extraordinary legal team: David Grossman, Olga Redko, and Léa Charbonneau (IMK LLP).

The hearings will start every day at 9:30am, in room 17.09 of the courthouse located at 1 Notre Dame Street East. There is a special entrance for lawyers. Everyone else uses the entrance on St-Antoine.

CCLA announces that we are applying for the Supreme Court to hear our case for the immediate suspension of Bill 21.

In a 2-1 ruling, the Quebec Court of Appeal decides Bill 21 won’t be voided at this time.

Appeal hearing to determine whether Quebec’s religious symbols law, An Act respecting the laicity of the State (formerly known as Bill 21) should be suspended.

CCLA, NCCM and Ichrak Nourel Hak ask Quebec Court of Appeal to review an earlier decision. The hearing was successful! The court grants permission to review lower court’s decision that denied our request to suspend the law.

Filed our application for leave to appeal the denial of the suspension of the law.

Court decides to deny CCLA, NCCM and Hak’s request for suspension of the law.

Court Hearing at the Superior Court in Montreal.

CCLA, NCCM and Hak file constitutional challenge of the law and application to suspend its operation.

Bill 21 passes and becomes law.