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QUEBEC — Premier François Legault is defending his government’s decision to override fundamental rights in secularism legislation by saying Quebec needs to protect its identity and clearly separate the state from religion.

Confirming the bill to be tabled Thursday will invoke the notwithstanding clause contained in both the Canadian and Quebec charter of rights, Legault said it won’t be the first time a Quebec or Canadian premier makes use of the option.

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“Yes, it’s not a small thing,” Legault told reporters. “It’s a big decision but sometimes in order to protect collective rights we have to use it. It has been used at least 40 times by different premiers, including Robert Bourassa.

“It’s never an easy decision. I think we have to protect our identity.”

Asked if minorities don’t deserve the same kind of protection, Legault said state secularism has to be visible and not just be something on paper.