The Quebec government has unveiled a significant expansion of its state secularism policies, tabling new legislation that directly targets religious dietary practices in public institutions and collective prayers in outdoor public spaces.
Jean-François Roberge, the province's minister responsible for secularism, presented the 20-page Bill 9 on Thursday, November 27, 2025, calling it "an important day for Quebec." The proposed law aims to build upon the foundation of the existing secularism law, which Roberge described as "excellent."
Key Changes in Quebec's Secularism Bill
The proposed legislation introduces several major changes affecting multiple aspects of public life. Minister Roberge provided a detailed breakdown of the main provisions during an afternoon news conference.
Regarding food services, the bill would require government-funded institutions like hospitals, private schools, and daycares to expand their menus beyond exclusively religious diets. For example, the Jewish General Hospital, which currently serves only kosher meals, would be mandated to offer non-kosher options as well.
"They can serve a kosher meal, but they will have to serve some other food, too, to enlarge the offer," Roberge stated. This requirement presents significant practical challenges, as serving both kosher and non-kosher food typically requires entirely separate kitchens due to strict religious preparation requirements.
Expanded Restrictions on Religious Symbols and Face Coverings
The bill significantly expands the existing religious symbols ban. The wearing of religious symbols such as hijabs, kippas, turbans, and crucifixes would be prohibited for employees of subsidized institutions including early child-care centres, daycares, private schools, and immigration services like francization programs.
This expansion includes a grandfather clause, but it only applies to employees who maintain the same function within the same institution.
Taking the restrictions further, the legislation would require anyone working in or visiting an educational institution funded by the province to have their faces uncovered at all times. This applies to subsidized child-care centres, higher-education institutions, and any educational or training services offered by public institutions.
In practical terms, a person wearing a burqa or niqab would need to remove it before entering these locations, even for temporary visits like parent-teacher interviews. When asked if this aspect specifically targets Islam, Roberge defended the measure by stating, "You cannot teach someone you cannot see, and the person cannot receive quality service if they cannot see the teacher."
New Rules for Public Prayer and Religious Schools
The legislation introduces strict new regulations for collective prayers in public outdoor spaces. Citing "provocative actions carried out under the guise of religious demonstrations," Roberge announced that collective prayers would no longer be permitted in public outdoor spaces without a municipal permit.
"It is shocking to see people blocking traffic, taking over public space without a permit, without warning, and then turning our streets, parks and public squares into places of worship," Roberge said. Exceptions could be granted by municipalities, but only under clear guidelines set out in the law. Individuals would still be permitted to pray publicly on their own.
Religious rituals and practices would also be prohibited inside public institutions, including schools. When asked about holiday celebrations like Christmas or Hanukkah parties in schools, Roberge indicated it would depend on whether they involved "the transmission of faith or religious manifestations."
Additionally, CEGEPs and universities would no longer be permitted to maintain prayer rooms, mirroring the existing policy in elementary and high schools.
For private religious schools, the legislation phases out government funding over three years. Private schools could only maintain government funding if they meet specific criteria including no religious activities during class hours, no selecting students or staff based on religious beliefs, and no wearing of religious symbols among teachers and staff.
Roberge clarified that religious schools could continue operating as usual but would "have to do so without state funding." The bill will be subject to public hearings and votes in the new year.
