Ottawa files notice to intervene in Supreme Court hearing on secularism bill

By Canadian Press on March 4, 2025.

OTTAWA — The federal government has officially filed a notice to intervene in the Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing on Quebec’s secularism law.

The top court announced in January it had granted leave to appeal to several groups that oppose the law, though no date has been set for the hearing.

Bill 21 was passed in 2019 and prohibits civil servants in positions of authority, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols on the job.

The justice department says the federal government is committed to upholding the rights of all Canadians, including freedom of religion.

Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette says the federal government’s decision is an attack on Quebec’s autonomy, and is vowing to defend the law.

Quebec invoked the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to shield Bill 21 from constitutional challenges, and lower courts have largely upheld the law.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press