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Justin Trudeau became the first prominent federal politician to oppose Quebec’s controversial plan to ban religious headwear for public employees.

Trudeau, who happened to be in Quebec City on Wednesday, added the topic to the agenda of a previously scheduled meeting with Premier Pauline Marois.

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The Liberal leader said that Marois confirmed to him that “the preliminary reports and rumours that are out there are the general direction the government intends to go”.

Trudeau castigated the idea and said the Parti Quebecois government would damage Quebec’s reputation if it proceeded with such a policy.

Other party leaders, meanwhile, avoided comment.

A media report this week published leaked details of the controversial PQ proposal — saying it would prohibit people like doctors, teachers and public-daycare workers from donning turbans, kippas, hijabs and visible crucifixes.

After his meeting with Marois, Trudeau said they agreed to disagree. The Liberal leader said the plan was motivated by a defensive “fear of the other” and unworthy of modern Quebec.