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Charles Taylor, co-author of a report cited by Premier François Legault to justify a partial ban on religious symbols, is speaking out against the plan.

Legault says that as part of his vision for a secular state, he will bring in a law forbidding judges, Crown prosecutors, police officers, prison guards and teachers from wearing symbols such as the Muslim hijab, Jewish kippah and Sikh turban at work.

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In its 2008 findings, the Bouchard-Taylor Commission on religious accommodation said teachers should not be covered by a ban on religious signs. The commission also said the crucifix should be removed from the National Assembly, an idea Legault has rejected.

Taylor, a McGill University philosopher, spoke with the Montreal Gazette on Friday.

What do you think of the CAQ government’s plan?

Dangerous, appalling, divisive, destructive — choose your epithet. I mean it’s just a terrible mistake we’re moving into. In all societies, when a lot of people come in with unfamiliar cultures, people are nervous and afraid. They’re not exactly sure what they’re afraid of but they are. So you can appeal to them by saying, ‘Well, we’re going to put restrictions on them or stop them.’ And (Legault) in fact is doing both — he’s saying we’re going to cut immigration in general and the especially worrisome people we’re going to put limits on.