Université de Sherbrooke professor Geneviève Pinard-Prévost, who converted to Islam in 2009 and has worn the hijab by choice since 2011, said that as far as she is concerned the passage of Bill 21 is “a catastrophe.” “To use the pretext of majority will in a conversation about minority rights is incredible,” she said. “We are truly in the domain of fear and protectionism.” The U de S Professor said that she is not surprised by the fact that the decision was made, given the fact that the Coalition Avenir Quebec has a majority government, but emphasized that she is both disappointed and angry about the way process was carried out. “The use of closure to pass the law shows the degree to which the government cares very little about minorities.” Echoing sentiments that she expressed to The Record in February, Pinard-Prévost said that she has grave concerns that the new law will legalize discrimination and give “angry people” license to make hateful remarks based on people’s religious beliefs. She shared that in her experience Quebecers are not a people who yell at strangers on the street, but she expressed a fear that this new legislation opens the door to that kind of behaviour. See full story in the Wednesday, June 19 edition of The Record.
Townships Muslims concerned Bill 21 “closes off Quebec”
By Gordon Lambie
