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“I will continue to work to ensure that all Canadians are protected by the Charter, while respecting the choices of different governments at different levels,” he said. “Here at the federal level, we defend the rights of all Canadians.”

The office of Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly has also issued a statement to the Post. “As the prime minister has said on numerous occasions, we do not believe that the government should be telling people what they can and cannot wear,” the statement reads. “With regard to the legislation in question, it is a matter for the Quebec national assembly where it has been debated at length and we will not interfere.”

Photo by Allen McInnis/The Gazette

Singh said he hopes and expects the legislation, which could prevent Muslim women from riding the bus while wearing a niqab, will be challenged in court.

“I think, fundamentally, we can’t have the state tell people what to wear, what not to wear,” he said. “That to me reflects a law that is discriminatory and that breaks the fundamental principle of human rights.”

Asked about Quebec justice minister Stéphanie Vallée’s claims that the law does respect civil rights, Singh suggested she’ll be proven wrong. “From time to time, we see ministers who make mistakes, who say something is right, but it turns out not to be the truth,” he said.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s office has not responded to a request for comment.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Bill 62 was first tabled by Vallée in 2015, but was amended in August to extend to government services offered by municipalities and to public transit. Confusion has since reigned, including over whether city bus drivers will be responsible for making women uncover their faces on public buses — or making riders remove the likes of scarves, balaclavas and sunglasses, which Vallée says the legislation also prohibits.