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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday warned Quebec premier-designate and Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault to think long and hard before using the notwithstanding clause to maintain unconstitutional legislation.

On Tuesday, a day after winning power in the provincial election, Legault had indicated he was ready to resort to the clause as part of a ban on religious symbols worn by public servants in positions of authority.

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Trudeau warned on Wednesday that such a move is “not something that should be done lightly,” adding that use of the clause “should be done in exceptional circumstances and after much consideration of the consequences.”

The prime minister went on to say that “to suppress or avoid defending the fundamental rights of Canadians” is “something one should be very careful about.”

Trudeau reiterated his position on religious symbols in the public service — that it isn’t for the state to tell citizens whether or not they should be worn.

In Boucherville, where the CAQ caucus is meeting, MNA Eric Caire said the new government should be given time to assume power, and that discussions on the issue would eventually take place with the federal government.