EMSB files its case to contest the validity of Bill 21

Power Law, representing the English Montreal School Board Council of Commissioners, has officially filed its case to contest the validity of  Bill 21 in Quebec Superior Court.  This is based primarily on Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantees minority language educational rights to English-speaking minorities in Quebec.

Bill 21 - An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State, came into force on July 16 and bars public-school teachers, government lawyers, judges and police officers from wearing religious symbols while at work.  As such individual citizens and public institutions like the EMSB are subject to all laws and regulations that have been adopted by the Parliaments of Quebec and Canada,

Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights of Freedoms has evolved through the years and successive decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada   include an exclusive right of management and control accorded to linguistic minority communities across Canada for the operations of their public school systems.

Here is a copy of the application