SECULAR SOCIETY: The High Cost of Implementing Quebec’s Charter of Values
A certain controversial charter has recently ignited national debate on religious tolerance in Canada. The Charter of Quebec Values seeks to prohibit public employees from wearing any religious attire like turbans and hijabs. Though most talk concerning the subject has centred on the blatant discrimination and social impact of the proposal, I have wondered what the economic effects would be.
A Cartoonist’s Take on the Economic Impact of The Charter
And I’m clearly not the only one. Canadian Business magazine conducted a poll to determine how Canadians would react to implementation of the Charter. Of the 49% who felt they would be affected, only 11% said they would comply willingly. This spells big trouble for Quebec employers; trouble that their economy really can’t afford. It may be the intention of Mme. Marois’ government to preserve the state’s secularity, but this may come at the cost of alienating immigrants and visible minorities who will gladly take their skills elsewhere. According to Supriya Dwivedi, the province which already “struggles to retain its immigrants, would […] face an even greater exodus of workers” if the Charter passes.” One would think that the PQ would have thought about all this before, but perhaps the economic cost of placating an alarmingly minority doesn’t seem too high to them.
Sources: Evans. “Charter of Quebec Values; A Graphic Guide.” Cartoon. Northeastnews.ca. Northeast News, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2013. <http://www.northeastnews.ca/charter-of-quebec-values/>. Melanson, Trevor. “If Quebec Charter Passes, Employees More Likely to Fight Back than Cave: Poll.” Canadian Business. Rogers Communications, 20 Sept. 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2013. <http://www.canadianbusiness.com/economy/if-quebec-charter-passes-employees-more-likely-to-fight-back-than-cave-poll/>.
Words: 200