MONTREAL, Sept. 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs - Quebec (CIJA-Quebec) is dismayed that the Quebec Government is persisting in presenting their proposed Charter of Quebec Values, which would restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of Quebecers. The proposed Charter will run contrary to the provisions enshrined by the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  It is unacceptable and will only serve to enflame civil discourse.

There is no justification for the government's proposed legislation.  The government is rehashing old, out of context stories in order to generate support for this unwarranted attack on the basic rights and freedoms of Quebecers, all to find a solution to the so-called "reasonable accommodation crisis", which was largely recognized as fictitious.

The separation of Church and State has existed in Quebec for many years.  CIJA-Quebec sees no need at this time to bring forward new laws on the secular nature of the Quebec public sector.  The prohibition of wearing religious symbols in the public and para-public service is not justified, and would exclude a large number of Quebecers. The role of the state should be to bring people together, not to divide them.

The Jewish Community of Quebec is comforted that opinion leaders from all parts of society (the majority of Quebec's elected officials Federally, Provincially and in the city of Montreal, the media and public opinion makers) share the view that this proposed Charter is discriminatory, arbitrary, provocative and will sow the seeds of division that the Government claims it wishes to avoid.

SOURCE Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs