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While the Coalition Avenir Québec government has classified Bill 21 as a way to enshrine the religious neutrality of the state, Jedwab said it’s clear Quebecers don’t have a negative view of most religions, except for Islam. While many have claimed support for the bill is motivated by a desire to take all religion out of the public sphere, Jedwab said the results don’t show that to be true.

Despite what appears to be broad support for a ban, Jedwab said there is also soft support and soft opposition. The majority no longer supports a ban on religious symbols if it is deemed to be unconstitutional, while many more would agree with the ban if it were proved to be in line with the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“It’s clear there is a softness in the support for the bill, and we have seen this in other versions of this poll as well,” Jedwab said. “A lot of people are looking for guidance on this issue, but a lot of people are very firm on this issue and can’t be moved.

“If the government could get a court opinion showing the bill is not a violation of the charter, that would probably be very favourable to the government. They would reach more people who are soft opponents of this.”

jmagder@postmedia.com

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