The fight against a controversial new federal bill now has a new ally on its side. Brampton councillors approved a motion Wednesday to support a legal fight against Bill 21, which passed into law in Quebec on June 16, and has made the act of wearing a religious symbol while working in the role of a civil servant illegal. “If Brampton’s not going to defend Canadian multiculturalism, then who is?” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, prior to the unanimous agreement on the motion. The move follows a similar action taken by the Peel Regional Police Services Board last week, who indicated that they would extend their advertising to Quebec to increase exposure for residents who want to pursue a career as a police officer, as well as launch a recruiting campaign in the city. “(The) govermment of Quebec has passed Bill 21 prohibiting the wearing of ‘religious symbols’ by individuals in positions of authority, including police officers,” the Police Services Board wrote in a statement. “Whereas Peel Regional Police believes in the values of diversity and inclusion, including the accommodation of religious symbols, the Peel Police Services Board invites all affected individuals, either pursuing or training for a career in policing in Quebec, to apply for a career with Peel Regional Police.” Brampton councillors approved a similar second motion at Wednesday’s meeting, indicating they will increase advertising for job opportunities in the firefighter and police fields in Quebec. The bill was passed into law as a result of a notwithstanding clause, used by the governing Coalition Avenir Québec and Premier François Legault to skirt the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The city boasts one of the largest south Asian populations in the GTA, with more than 123,000 residents in Brampton identifying as Sikh.
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