Ottawa challenging Quebec’s religious clothing ban

The Harper government is criticizing Quebec’s proposal to ban public servants from wearing religious clothing at schools, hospitals, and courthouses.

Multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney says the justice department will be consulted, and if it feels the proposals violate fundamental freedoms, Ottawa will vigorously defend those rights.

NDP leader Tom Mulclair called the Quebec plan an attempt to impose state-mandated discrimination against minorities in the Quebec civil service.