Ms. Ichrak Nourel Hak, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) welcome the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to grant leave in our constitutional challenge of Bill 21.
It is crucial for the highest court in Canada to have an opportunity to provide clarity on the role of the courts to review legislation when the notwithstanding clause is used to override fundamental rights and freedoms.
Enacted in 2019, Bill 21 violates rights and freedoms by prohibiting individuals in Quebec who work in or aspire to work in public service from wearing religious symbols – including hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, and crosses.
We look forward to the Court hearing our arguments demonstrating why Bill 21 undermines the Canadian constitutional structure and its division of powers, violates fundamental rights and freedoms, and should be struck down.
We are grateful to the excellent pro bono representation of David Grossman, Olga Redko, and Marie-Hélène Lyonnais from IMK in this case.
You can watch our press conference on CPAC here.
Read our remarks here.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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