l-0.3 - Act respecting the laicity of the State

Updated to 16 June 2019

This document has official status.

chapter L-0.3

Act respecting the laicity of the State

AS the Québec nation has its own characteristics, one of which is its civil law tradition, distinct social values and a specific history that have led it to develop a particular attachment to State laicity;

AS the Québec State stands on constitutional foundations that have been enriched over the years by the passage of a number of fundamental laws;

AS, in accordance with the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, it is incumbent on the Parliament of Québec to determine the principles according to which and manner in which relations between the State and religions are to be governed in Québec;

AS it is important that the paramountcy of State laicity be enshrined in Québec’s legal order;

AS the Québec nation attaches importance to the equality of women and men;

AS a stricter duty of restraint regarding religious matters should be established for persons exercising certain functions, resulting in their being prohibited from wearing religious symbols in the exercise of their functions;

AS State laicity contributes to the fulfilment of the magistrature’s duty of impartiality;

AS State laicity should be affirmed in a manner that ensures a balance between the collective rights of the Québec nation and human rights and freedoms;

THE PARLIAMENT OF QUÉBEC ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:

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