The Bouchard-Taylor Commission recommends guidelines for harmonization practices

Montréal, May 22, 2008 – The establishment of guidelines respecting harmonization practices between citizens is one of the key recommendations made by the Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences (CCPARDC). Commission Co-Chairs Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor today made public their final report. These guidelines cover several dimensions, indicated below.

State neutrality

The Co-Chairs recommend that representatives who must embody to the utmost State neutrality and maintain the appearance of impartiality that is essential to the exercising of their duties be prohibited from wearing religious signs. This is true of judges, Crown prosecutors, police officers, prison guards and the president and vice-president of the National Assembly. However, teachers, civil servants, health professionals and all other government employees should be allowed to continue to wear religious signs. In keeping with the same principle of neutrality, the crucifix in the National Assembly and the reciting of prayers at meetings of municipal councils should not be permitted in a secular State.

Gender equality

Respect for core values such as gender equality is of prime importance. According to this principle, accommodation requests that compromise it should be refused almost without exception.

• In health care institutions, patients should a priori receive care from the professionals available without expecting to choose them according to sex. They could, however, express this wish, subject to staff availability.

• In the case of individuals hospitalized in long-term care facilities, they should be able to obtain intimate care from an attendant of the same sex.
• Coeducation must prevail wherever possible in swimming and other classes, bearing in mind educational requirements or constraints.

Freedom of religion and the educational milieu

• Students who wish to wear in class religious signs such as the hidjab, kippah or turban should be able to do so.
• Students must not be exempted from compulsory courses in the name of freedom of religion.
• Educational institutions are not required to offer permanent prayer rooms, in keeping with a resolution handed down by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse.* However, it is in keeping with the spirit of adjustment to authorize for the purpose of prayer the use of temporarily unoccupied rooms.

The Commission

Individuals, groups and associations submitted over 900 briefs and 241 people testified during the 31 days of hearings. All told, 22 regional forums attracted 3 423 participants and over 800 people took part in four province-wide forums. Moreover, 13 research projects conducted by specialists from Québec universities were commissioned and 31 focus groups were organized throughout Québec in which participants came from varied backgrounds.

When it concludes its activities in June, the CCPARDC will have spent $3.7 million of a total budget of $5.1 million. The final report and related documents can be consulted online (www.accommodements.qc.ca).

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