CALGARY—Mayor Naheed Nenshi issued a sharp critique Monday of Quebec legislation aimed at prohibiting many public sector workers from wearing religious symbols.

“In 2019, that we have a provincial government that says, ‘Hey, there are certain jobs that you cannot do simply because of your faith.’ ... This is unacceptable,” he said.

The mayor added that he doesn’t have any authority over Quebec’s National Assembly, but he wanted to communicate the importance of fighting against racism and religious discrimination in all forms with a message to the province.

“What I can do is I can reach out to all decent people, and honestly say, if you’re a Hollywood producer filming in Quebec, and you’re worried about your staff and the talent that you’re bringing in, if you’re a tech startup who wants to bring in people from all over the world and the very best talent, come to Calgary. You’re welcome here.”

Legislation tabled Thursday in Quebec would prohibit public servants in positions of authority — including teachers, police officers, Crown prosecutors and prison guards — from wearing religious symbols. People currently in those jobs would be protected by a grandfather clause.

The Coalition Avenir Québec government has used the notwithstanding clause to block court challenges to the bill.

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Civil rights groups have warned that the bill enshrines discrimination against religious minorities such as Muslims and Sikhs, adding that Muslim women who wear the hijab would particularly face barriers and stigma if the legislation is passed.

Two weeks ago, in the wake of shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed 50 people, Nenshi also called for political leaders to “make their choice” about standing up to steadfastly oppose racist and white supremacist ideology. He said speaking out is crucial, especially considering that Canada has already seen a deadly mosque shooting in Quebec City in 2017.

“I think it’s important for us to also demand better from our politicians ... we need to be able to demand better, because what is clear here is that nobody should have been surprised by what happened,” Nenshi said.

“Do you welcome racists to Alberta and say that they’re welcome to Alberta any time? Do you stand at protests where neo-Nazis are also speaking and ignore their presence? Do you pretend not to hear questions about that?

“Or do you stand with good, decent human beings and say, ‘Never mind that I might get some votes out of that. I condemn that. I condemn it every day.’ ... I hope that all politicians will declare very clearly where they stand.”

With files from The Canadian Press

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