The Catholic Bishops of Quebec have shared thoughtful recommendations on Bill 9, the proposed law to strengthen secularism, urging balance, respect and freedom of conscience — and proposing ways to avoid overreach.

  • The Bishops participated in public hearings on Bill 9, submitting a 20-page brief with nine recommendations.
  • Bishop Raymond Poisson spoke for the bishops, accompanied by Archbishop Christian Lépine and Bishop Guy Boulanger.
  • In their brief, they note that some parts of the bill are ambiguous and could lead to inconsistent application.
  • They emphasize secularism should apply to state employees with coercive authority, not society at large, to protect individual freedoms.
  • They stress that religious and spiritual life is fundamental and must be freely lived in a democratic society.
  • They support certain measures in the bill that protect religious freedom, access to worship, and exemptions for state employees providing spiritual care.

    📖 You can read their brief submitted to the parliamentary committee by following this link (only available in French): https://evequescatholiques.quebec/fr/news-item/projet-de-loi-9-sur-le-renforcement-de-la-laicite-br-les-eveques-proposent-d-eviter-les-derapages