PQ and CAQ battle it out on identity

An attack ad by the Coalition Avenir Québec has reignited the always-simmering identity debate at the National Assembly. The ad features a woman wearing a chador and accuses Liberals and Péquistes of accepting the garment in Quebec schools.

The ad, which reads "(Premier Philippe) Couillard and (PQ Leader Jean-François) Lisée in favour of teachers wearing the chador in our schools,” caused a stir Thursday when it surfaced on the CAQ’s Facebook page.

It shows a woman wearing a black cloak covering her whole body, leaving only her face exposed, with the accompanying message: “Philippe Couillard and Jean-François Lisée voted in favour of Bill 62, which allows a teacher to wear a chador in our schools. At the CAQ, we consider that a teacher is a model for children and we can’t accept that she’s wearing a symbol that sends a signal of submission, contrary to the principle of equality between women and men.”

Bill 62 — which aims to bar people from wearing face coverings when giving or receiving a public service — is currently being studied in parliamentary committee and has not yet passed.

Lisée tore into Legault on Thursday, saying the ad is ridden with lies and reminiscent of American-style politics.

“Today, François Legault decided to wilfully emit a lie. And that’s the first time we see this here. I think he believes that ... it will stick. What I believe is that most Quebecers will see that and be revulsed by a Quebec politician that resorts to lying to try to make political points,” Lisée said.

He said if elected to power in 2018, the Parti Québécois will ban the chador from the civil service, and revive many elements from the party’s controversial 2013 charter of values.

In an official document released Thursday, the PQ said it will ask that newly-hired civil servants in a position of authority — including teachers and daycare workers — refrain from wearing religious symbols at work. Current employees or those refusing to comply will not be slapped with any sanctions, Lisée said.

Moreover, he said the party will launch a consultation on the place of burkas in public. And the PQ will ask that immigration targets be set by the province’s auditor general, an independent body.

Lisée was trying to clarify his position on the identity issue, after a CROP poll this week showed support for the PQ is slipping. In fact, the poll placed the PQ and CAQ neck-and-neck, with the CAQ securing 26 per cent of voter intentions and the PQ, 24 per cent. The Liberals held 30 per cent support, according to the poll.

Byelections will be held Dec. 5 in four ridings — Verdun, Marie-Victorin, St-Jérôme and Arthabaska.

Government house leader Jean-Marc Fournier urged Quebecers to keep a cool head. “This is the opposite of what’s important for society,” he said. “It’s a message saying we want to make partisan politics on division, on exclusion.”

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