October 24, 2017•Update: October 25, 2017
By Barry Ellsworth
TRENTON, Ont.
Quebec has bowed to pressure over its new face-covering law, with changes announced Tuesday at a news conference.
The law initially passed by the province’s National Assembly required all face coverings to be removed by anyone wishing to access public services.
Critics charged the new law targeted Muslim women who would be required to remove their niqabs or burkas while, for instance, riding on a bus.
But Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee said those using public transit would need only to show their face if they were using photo identification, such as students seeking reduced fare transportation.
As well, a book could be checked out at a public library at an automated kiosk, with face covering removed only if the person was communicating with staff.
“As for health services, people will have to have their face uncovered when they are in direct contact with an employee but when they return, for example, to the waiting room, they will not be obliged to have their face uncovered,” Vallee said. “And obviously, nobody will be refused emergency treatment.”
The justice minister said the guidelines were originally going to be introduced next July, but they have now taken effect in the face of political and public uproar.
The premiers of Ontario and Alberta provinces were quick to criticize the law after it was adopted Oct. 18, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he questioned governments telling women what they can wear.
Penalties were supposed to be announced when the guidelines came into effect in July. But while the guidelines take effect immediately, the legislation currently does not address consequences for those who do not adhere to the law. Vallee added that exemptions can be obtained through the courts.
“The law is not repressive and there are no sanctions,” she said. “It’s all a case by case situation.”
Vallee did not address the issue of public servants removing face coverings while providing public services, including doctors, nurses and teachers.
She reiterated the law did not target any specific religion and would apply only when needed for communication, identification or security reasons.
And there is support for the law. A poll before the law was passed showed 87 percent of Quebecers approved the measure.
The law is the first of its kind in North America to require removal of face coverings while accessing public services.
