Values charter a form of employment discrimination: Quebec Liberal leader

MONTREAL – The head of Quebec’s opposition Liberals is welcoming women who wear a Muslim veil into his own party.

Philippe Couillard says the Parti Quebecois government’s proposed “charter of values” would be especially harmful toward immigrant women.

Couillard says he will fight any law that leads to discrimination in the workplace.

The PQ wants to forbid public employees from wearing religious headwear, including the veil, as part of a plan announced last Tuesday.

Muslim women have voiced concern the policy would dramatically limit their career choices.

A protest against the charter on Saturday in Montreal drew several thousand people.

Couillard made the comments this afternoon at a party gathering for Quebec Liberal women in Montreal.