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Identity issues are a recurrent part of the political discourse in Quebec, which has recently passed a secularism law banning some state employees, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols at work.

Singh, a practising Sikh who wears a turban, told reporters in Montreal Wednesday morning that he preferred to be open with Quebecers.

“The fact I have a turban is clear, I have a turban,” he said. “But I’m someone who loves the French language, someone who understands the importance of identity, who will fight for you.”

During Wednesday’s pre-debate appearance at a farmers’ market, Singh encountered a man who suggested he “cut his turban off” in order to “look like a Canadian.”

“I think Canadians look like all sorts of people,” Singh replied. “That’s the beauty of Canada.”

Singh later told reporters he, like many Canadians, has faced racism and systemic discrimination in communities all across Canada, but he was confident in being able to move beyond the prejudice to highlight common values.

Wednesday’s debate will be an important moment for Singh as he attempts to hold on to 14 seats in Quebec, which recent polls suggest are all in danger.

In a morning photo op, Singh chatted with shoppers as he and his wife, Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu, filled a reusable bag with fruit, baguettes and cheese from the Atwater market –ostensibly to fuel his team during the hours of debate prep to follow.

Speaking to reporters, Singh again addressed the issue of Quebec’s controversial secularism bill, saying his presence in the province as a turbaned Sikh was an argument against the law.