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Montreal mayoral candidate Valérie Plante says she wants to clarify her position on a new Quebec law that will require uncovered faces for people giving a public service or receiving it.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Plante said she “agreed with the principle” of the law, and she didn’t answer directly when twice asked whether a niqab-clad woman should be allowed to take a city bus.

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In an interview with the Montreal Gazette five hours later, Plante said she agrees with the principle of state religious neutrality, but not with compelling women to uncover their faces in order to receive services in Montreal.

She said the Liberal government’s Bill 62 “is disconnected from Montreal’s reality” and “goes against Montrealers’ rights.”

“How is it applicable in the public space like the buses, the parks, the outdoor rinks,” she said. “Montrealers deserve to have access to all those services.”