Quebec Expands Secularism Rules to Schools, Services

Summary#

• This Quebec bill aims to strengthen state secularism (laïcité). It expands where the rules apply, sets limits on religious practice in public spaces and public institutions, and tightens how religious accommodations are handled.

• It creates a Minister responsible for Laicity to issue directives and check compliance. It also replaces older neutrality laws and uses the “notwithstanding clause” to shield the law from certain court challenges.

• Key changes:

  • Extends secularism rules to childcare centers (CPEs), subsidized daycares, coordinating offices for family-based care, recognized home childcare providers (for core principles), subsidized private schools, and some health and social service settings.
  • Requires people to have their face uncovered to receive many public services, including most education and training, and in certain buildings.
  • Bans religious practice inside most government-run or publicly controlled buildings, with limited exceptions (e.g., hospitals if care is not affected, optional activities outside class hours in subsidized private schools, or in rented venues under conditions).
  • Expands the ban on wearing religious symbols to staff of CPEs, subsidized daycares, coordinating offices, staff of subsidized private schools and some people who provide services to those schools, and people who provide immigrant welcome, French, or integration services. Includes limited “grandfather” protections for some current workers.
  • Limits collective religious ceremonies in streets and parks unless a city approves them case by case and they are short, open to all, safe, and do not block access.
  • Tightens rules for religious accommodations across public bodies and applies the framework to the private sector.
  • Bars public institutions from offering only religious dietary menus, and from promoting religious symbols in official communications (except pre-existing logos). Schools cannot require students to wear a religious sign.

What it means for you#

• Parents and families (childcare and early childhood)

  • Staff in CPEs, subsidized daycares, and coordinating offices cannot wear religious symbols at work. Some existing staff may be allowed to keep them if they stay in the same job.
  • You must have your face uncovered to be in these premises or to receive services. If you refuse, service can be denied.
  • Childcare providers cannot offer an exclusively religious diet (for example, only halal or only kosher). Offering options is allowed.
  • Requests for religious accommodation will be weighed against service quality, the educational program, and children’s health, safety, and well-being.

• K–12 schools

  • In subsidized private schools, staff and some contractors cannot wear religious symbols while doing their work. Some current workers may be grandfathered.
  • Religious prayers or similar activities are not allowed during class hours in subsidized private schools. Optional religious activities may be held outside class hours, and people may wear religious symbols during those optional activities.
  • Students cannot be required to wear a religious sign, unless it is part of the school’s official logo or crest that existed before the bill.
  • You may be asked to uncover your face to receive service, for identity checks, or for safety.

• Colleges and universities

  • You must have your face uncovered in campus buildings and to receive services.
  • Religious practice in campus spaces is generally not allowed, with limited exceptions (for example, in rented event halls under set conditions).
  • Accommodation requests must not compromise program requirements, delivery of services, or academic freedom.

• Immigrants using welcome, French, or integration programs

  • People who provide these services cannot wear religious symbols while doing so.

• Public service users

  • You must uncover your face to receive educational, training, or professional development services from public bodies, and when needed for ID checks or safety. Service can be refused if you do not.

• Municipalities, event organizers, and participants

  • Group religious ceremonies in streets or parks need city approval. They must be short, open to all, safe, and not block access to public space.
  • Organizers or participants who break these rules can be fined. People who block or disrupt worship in a place of worship can also be fined.

• Health and social services

  • Staff must act neutrally and not favor or disadvantage anyone because of religion. Spiritual care is allowed in hospitals and prisons. Cultural safety practices for Indigenous people are recognized.
  • Religious practice is allowed in hospitals and some social service settings if it does not affect care, operations, or patient well-being.

• Religious communities

  • Public institutions cannot add new religious displays to buildings, except for preservation/restoration of existing items.
  • Institutions cannot showcase religious symbols in their official communications, except if part of a pre-existing logo.
  • No one may interfere with worship or block access to a place of worship.

• Private schools (approval and funding)

  • To get approval (and subsidies), a private school’s teaching during school hours or its childcare cannot be based on religious rules, the transmission of beliefs, or religious practice. Schools also cannot select students or staff based on religion.
  • The minister will have power to revoke approval for non-compliance (this revocation power starts three years after the bill becomes law). Renewals in years 2–3 after the law get a temporary exemption for that renewal period.

• Oversight and timing

  • A new Minister of Laicity can issue binding directives, send inspectors, and order corrective actions.
  • Most parts take effect on the day the bill is approved. The face-uncovered rules and the ban on religious practice inside most public institutions start September 1, 2026. The new revocation power for private schools begins three years after approval.

Expenses#

• No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Sets clear, consistent rules for a neutral state and neutral public services across more sectors, including early childhood.
• Supports equality between women and men and treats everyone the same, regardless of religion.
• Gives simple, predictable rules for accommodations so services can run smoothly and fairly.
• Protects safety and identification by requiring faces to be uncovered for service.
• Keeps streets and parks open and safe by requiring permits for collective religious events, while still allowing worship in places of worship.
• Adds oversight through a dedicated minister to help institutions comply and apply the law consistently.

Opponents' View#

• Limits freedom of religion and expression, especially for workers who wear religious symbols (e.g., in childcare and subsidized private schools) and for people who cover their face for religious reasons.
• Banning religious practice inside most public institutions could push believers to pray outdoors or off-site, reducing inclusion on campuses and in public buildings.
• Tougher rules on accommodations may make it harder to adjust schedules, spaces, or services for religious needs.
• The bar on selecting students or staff based on religion could alter the mission of religious private schools that rely on public funding.
• City permit rules for group religious events in parks or streets may burden smaller communities or limit spontaneous gatherings.
• Using the “notwithstanding clause” means fewer options to challenge the law in court, which civil rights groups may see as weakening rights protections.