February 10, 2026
QUEBEC CITY – B’nai Brith Canada is sounding the alarm that the Government of Quebec’s efforts to reinforce state secularism could risk compromising human rights in the province.
In November 2025, Quebec’s Minister Responsible for Laicity, Jean-François Roberge, tabled Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Québec. If enacted, the law would extend laicity to a broader segment of Quebec society, including private religious academies that receive Government funding.
“Quebec has the right to regulate its own affairs and maintain its distinct culture and identity,” said Paola Samuel, Quebec and Atlantic Regional Director for B’nai Brith Canada. “But the language contained in Bill 9 is alarming to many Jewish Quebecers and followers of other faiths, who are concerned that the legislation would undermine their right to freedom of religion and conscience. The Government can and must strike a balance.”
State laicity has existed in Quebec since 2019, when the province adopted Bill 21, the original Act respecting the laicity of the State. B’nai Brith Canada criticized the law at the time and has expressed similar concerns about Bill 9.
“Components of Bill 9 have the capacity to obstruct the ability of members of faith-based communities, including the Jewish community, to observe their faith and fulfill their religious obligations,” B’nai Brith Canada wrote Tuesday in its submission to the National Assembly of Quebec’s Committee on Citizen Relations.
“Jewish Quebecers are both proud citizens of the province and proud members of the Jewish community.”
As part of the Committee’s public consultations, B’nai Brith Canada urged Quebec to make “concessions” to ensure its project of promoting laicity does not marginalize religious communities, including the following recommendations:
- Eliminate the rule requiring students, educators and staff at institutions which receive Government funding to remove religious headwear, such as Kippot;
- Repeal articles that would restrict the ability of students and staff enrolled or working within Government-funded institutions to observe religious holy days without prejudice.
“B’nai Brith Canada will continue to advocate for Quebec’s Jewish community and vigorously defend the human rights of all Canadians, from coast to coast,” Samuel said.