A government-mandated committee in Quebec has proposed a ban on religious symbols for workers in subsidized daycares. This recommendation is part of a broader report that includes 50 suggestions aimed at reinforcing secularism in the province. The report was released on Tuesday morning and follows a five-month review initiated by Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge.

Guillaume Rousseau, one of the committee's co-chairs, emphasized the importance of the recommendations. He stated, "It's a hefty report," and noted that the suggestions are designed to strengthen secularism while addressing community concerns. The committee gathered testimonies and evidence over the past six months, concluding that a ban on religious symbols for daycare workers is necessary.

Rousseau and co-chair Christiane Pelchat have previously defended Quebec's secularism law, known as Bill 21, in court. Rousseau argued that employees should have the right to work in secular institutions, and children should be free from religious pressures. The report is nearly 300 pages long and could influence potential changes to Bill 21.

The committee's recommendations come in response to public outcry following a report that detailed allegations of a group of teachers in a Montreal elementary school creating a hostile environment. The report also suggests modifying the province's secularism law to require individuals to have their faces uncovered while receiving public services, which would include CEGEP students.

Pelchat raised concerns about the influence of religion in daycares, citing instances where children were selected for spots based on ethnicity or religious affiliation. She also mentioned that some children were served Halal food regardless of their beliefs, which she described as problematic. "They receive public funds," Pelchat said, arguing that the presence of religious symbols in daycares reinforces religious connections.

The committee also recommends phasing out public funding for religious private schools and allowing universities to refuse requests for prayer rooms. Additionally, it suggests that municipalities should regulate religious events, aligning with Premier François Legault's desire to ban public prayer.

The secularism minister's office welcomed the report, stating that it offers valuable ideas for modernizing the law. Next steps will be announced after further analysis of the recommendations.

Reactions from opposition parties have begun to surface. Pascal Bérubé of the Parti Québécois noted that several proposals in the report had previously been rejected by the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec government. The Liberal Party expressed concerns about extending the ban to daycare educators, arguing that these workers are not state employees but part of the community sector. Québec solidaire indicated it would take time to review the report before commenting.