Teacher removed from a Chelsea, Que. elementary classroom for wearing a hijab
Parents and students at an elementary school in Chelsea, Que. say they are shocked a teacher was removed from the classroom for wearing a hijab.
The Western Quebec School Board confirms the Grade 3 teacher at Chelsea Elementary School was removed from the classroom because of Bill 21, Quebec's law that bans the wearing of religious symbols by certain government employees deemed to be in positions of authority while at work.
Parents of Grade 3 students at the school received an email on Friday, Dec. 3 letting them know the teacher would no longer be in the classroom. Some parents later learned the teacher was removed because of Bill 21.
"It's shocking as a parent to see this come into action within our small little community," said parent Amanda DeGrace.
"Now to have to have conversations we've had with our kids before, but actually have conversations that they're able to connect the dots of something they're seeing happening in real time and in real life, and it is very sad to me that we're seeing Bill 21 come into action and the impact that it's having on everyone involved."
Quebec's Bill 21 came into effect in June 2019, and prohibits public-sector workers who are deemed to be in positions of authority from wearing symbols such as hijabs, kippahs or turbans while at work.
This week, parents have been placing green ribbons on a fence outside the school in support of the teacher.
"As a way to help show support and solidarity with this teacher who has been affected by this Bill 21," said DeGrace.
"We are asking people to please speak up. It's really, really important as a community that we help to create change and we take action for that change to happen."
In an interview with CTV News Ottawa, Western Quebec School Board interim chair Wayne Daly said the board removed the teacher from the classroom once the human resources department was made aware of the situation.
"The majority of the western Quebecers I've spoken to are against Bill 21, we've made our intentions and our feelings known to the government," said Daly.
"Subsequent to that, the government did proceed with the bill and it is law now, and as a section of the education system within the government it is our responsibility to follow the laws of the province."
All principals at schools within the Western Quebec School Board received a memo outlining the law and to "take it into consideration when you're hiring teachers," said Daly.
Daly says the board told the Quebec government that it "categorically stated our opposition to Bill 21 from the basic human rights perspective," adding the law is "unethical."
The Western Quebec School Board says the teacher will remain employed with the school in "another function," but would not release further details.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.