Religion in Secular Schools: A New Perspective for Québec

The Task Force was established in October 1997 by the PQ Government to examine the place of religion in schools, to define appropriate guidelines and to propose methods for their implementation. It made fourteen recommendations to the then Minister of Education (François Legault). One of the recommends was that the basic school regulations for elementary and secondary education provide for the study of religions from a cultural perspective in place of Catholic or Protestant religious instruction, and that the study of religions be compulsory for all students. Another recommendation was that the Government of Quebec and the National Assembly confirm the primacy of the right to equality and freedom of conscience and religion guaranteed in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and, consequently, that they repeal or not renew the notwithstanding clauses in education legislation which override the application of the Charters.

Québec

Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation

1999

xiv-272p.

en