Kelowna set to be first B.C. city to oppose Quebec’s religious symbols law

KELOWNA – Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh plans to bring a motion to next week's council meeting condemning Quebec's Bill C-21 which prohibits government employees from wearing religious symbols at work.

Similar motions have been passed in Brampton, Ont. and Calgary followed suit earlier this week. 

Kelowna would be the first B.C. city to take such a stand if the motion is passed by council on Monday, Oct. 6, Singh said.

“I’m very upset about Bill C-21,” Singh told iNFOnews.ca. “It (the motion) aligns with our core values. Our core principles are inclusion.”

Bill C-21 was passed in June and prohibits many government employees from wearing religious symbols at work.

“This is not just about the Sikhs,” she said. “It’s about the Jews. It’s even about the Catholics wearing a cross. You should be allowed to wear anything.”

Singh said she’s spoken to fellow councillors who “are very open to having the discussion.”

She wants that to happen at the Monday afternoon meeting so it’s more public since that meeting will be broadcast.

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