Quebec has passed Bill 9, legislation restricting public prayer, raising concerns about the rights of religious minorities. Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Canadian Council of Muslims, told Local 514 that the law is less about strengthening secularism and more about using identity politics to mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 provincial elections.
Brown said Quebec is already a highly secular province and argued that Bill 9 primarily targets visible expressions of minority faiths, especially Muslim practices. He warned the law infringes on fundamental rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and criticized the government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause to shield it from legal challenges.
Brown also noted that focusing on minority rights distracts from pressing issues like affordability, healthcare, and education. He emphasized that fostering understanding between communities through dialogue and shared goals is key to countering fear and division in society.
