Bouchard-Taylor Commission

The Bouchard-Taylor commission (named for its two co-chairmen), officially the Quebec Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences, was created on 8 February 2007 by Quebec premier Jean Charest. Its mandate was to examine questions related to reasonable accommodation allowed because of cultural or religious differences in Quebec.[1]

The commission was chaired by philosopher Charles Taylor and historian and sociologist Gérard Bouchard. Its final report was made public on 22 May 2008, and the commission wound up its operations on 18 June 2008.

The commission conducted hearings in various Quebec regions. The committee listened to individuals, organizations, and so-called experts on Quebec identity, religion, and integration of cultural communities (minority groups). Before formal proceedings began, Bouchard and Taylor said they heard in focus groups across the province that there was insecurity among Quebec's traditional ethnic French population. They believed that hearings would help with educating the public; for instance, they thought the perception of Muslim influence was higher among some groups than is justified by data.[2] Taylor underlined that Quebecers need to show an "openness and generosity of spirit" for 'cultural communities. As well, the report recommended that accommodation be made in public schools to allow students who want to wear religious attire in class, such as the hijab, kippah or turban, to do so.[3]

The Bouchard–Taylor report recommended that judges, Crown prosecutors, prison guards and police officers refrain from wearing any religious attire or symbols. "We believe that a majority of Quebecers accept that a uniform prohibition applying to all government employees regardless of the nature of their position is excessive, but want those employees who occupy positions that embody at the highest level the necessary neutrality of the state ... to impose on themselves a form of circumspection concerning the expression of their religious convictions", Bouchard and Taylor wrote.[4]

In 2017, in the aftermath of the Charter of Quebecois Values debate, Taylor stated that he no longer supports that opinion and said it was misinterpreted by many politicians. The Bouchard–Taylor report deliberately did not include teachers, civil servants and health-care professionals among those that should be forbidden to wear religious symbols.[5]

The commission also recommended that the crucifix in the National Assembly, placed above the Speaker's chair by Premier Maurice Duplessis, be removed to another part of the building.[6] This recommendation was resisted at the time, but the crucifix was eventually removed in July 2019.[7]

See also

References
  1. Pratiques d'accommodements reliées aux différences culturelles.. Government of Quebec press release. 8 February 2007.
  2. "Bouchard and Taylor Will Have to Speak, Too". The Gazette. Montreal. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  3. Tasker, J.P. (27 Mar 2015). "Stephen Harper 'dumb' to say niqab is anti-women, Charles Taylor says". CBC News. Retrieved 3 Jul 2022.
  4. Chris Selley (1 Apr 2015). "Charles Taylor ... Niqab Defender?". National Post. Retrieved 3 Jul 2022.
  5. Yakabuski, Konrad (3 Oct 2018). "Legault gets ahead of himself on the notwithstanding clause". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 3 Jul 2022.
  6. Riga, Andy (19 Oct 2018). "Charles Taylor on religious garb ban: 'Dangerous, appalling, divisive'". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 3 Jul 2022.
  7. "Crucifix removed from National Assembly's Blue Room". CBC News. 9 Jul 2019. Retrieved 3 Jul 2022.
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