Quebec Court of Appeal rejects EMSB’s request to suspend the application of Bill 21 – Montreal | The Canadian News

The Quebec Court of Appeal has rejected the request of the Montreal School Board of England (EMSB) to suspend the application of Bill 21, the province’s secularism law, and allow the hiring of teachers who wear religious symbols for now.

The law prohibits public employees such as teachers, judges, and police from wearing religious symbols at work.

In April, a ruling by a Quebec Superior Court judge ruled that parts of the law could not apply to English schools because of their special constitutional rights. However, the Quebec government decided to appeal that decision.

In response, EMSB requested that the law be waived while the appeal was heard. On Tuesday, however, the Court of Appeal denied that request.

In a statement, EMSB said it “is disappointed with the interim ruling of the Quebec Court of Appeal that refused to suspend the application of Bill 21 and allow the temporary hiring of principals, assistant principals and teachers who wear religious symbols.” .

The statement said that if his request were granted, the board would have had more hiring options when there is a teacher shortage in the province.

The statement quoted Board Chairman Joe Ortona as saying, “We remain committed to continuing our challenge to Bill 21 and upholding our exclusive right to manage and control our institutions in accordance with our culture.”

2:05EMSB clashes with Quebec over legal battle over bill 21