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Legault wants apology for ‘unacceptable’ federal debate question on Quebec laws

Sep 10, 2021 | 1:34 PM

Quebec Premier François Legault says a question at Thursday night’s English-language federal leaders debate about two provincial laws was unacceptable, and he wants an apology from debate organizers and the moderator. 

The first question to Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet described two Quebec laws — one restricting the wearing of religious symbols by certain government employees, the other a language law reform — as “discriminatory.”

Legault told reporters in Quebec City today that question was an attack on the Quebec nation. 

The premier says the laws are supported by the majority of Quebecers, were passed democratically and protect Quebec’s language and values.

Legault says the secularism law, which bars police officers, teachers and others in position of authority from wearing religious symbols, doesn’t apply outside Quebec and shouldn’t be a concern for people in the rest of Canada.

For the second day in a row, Legault criticized the federal Liberals, NDP and Greens, saying the three parties would weaken Quebec’s powers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press