Quebec Liberal leadership rivals decry Bill 21 during debate

Montreal Gazette

10-05-2025

By
Candidates vying for the helm of the Quebec Liberal Party criticized Premier François Legault's secularism policies at a Saturday debate focused on identity, language and immigration.
The meeting was the third of six planned debates in the party's five-way leadership race, with perceived front-runner Pablo Rodriguez facing off against Marc Bélanger, Karl Blackburn, Charles Milliard and Mario Roy.
Columnist Marie-Ève Doyon moderated the debate.
All five contenders spoke out against Bill 21, the Coalition Avenir Québec's controversial secularism law that saw certain public servants barred from wearing religious symbols. The bill's reliance on the notwithstanding clause attracted the strongest ire.
'The notwithstanding clause is used too often. It's like a candy shop and (Justice Minister Simon) Jolin-Barette is a big eater,' Milliard quipped.
The line prompted laughter from the audience and candidates, with Rodriguez having to collect himself before taking his turn to speak.
Rodriguez didn't offer any direct criticism of the law's policies, instead framing it as a distraction from more pressing issues, such as the deterioration of the health system.
'Bills 21 and 94 are laws that go too far,' said Roy, referring also to a bill that would expand the ban on religious symbols further across the education sector, including to janitors, cafeteria workers and volunteers in school libraries.
'We couldn't have a more intolerant government' than Legault's, Bélanger said. 'It's religious discourse that has to be banned' among civil servants, he said, 'not religious symbols.'
Doyon asked the candidates whether they would renew the notwithstanding clause on Bill 21, which must be done every five years for it to stay in place. Milliard, Roy and Blackburn all said they wouldn't, while Bélanger and Rodriguez didn't specify their positions.
Candidates were also asked about Legault's proposal to bar prayer in public spaces, a proposal the premier has admitted might require the notwithstanding clause to enforce.
'It's another distraction,' Milliard said. 'We need a society where we respect people's freedom of conscience.'
'I'm at the end of my rope,' he added.
'It's not often that I'm driving, having to steer around people who are praying in the streets,' Rodriguez said. 'It's not something you see on every corner.'
'Legault is battling a fake problem to divert attention.'
Roy said Legault's secularism policies point to a need for a Quebec constitution, which he said would be an 'opportunity to protect the rights and liberties of everyone.' While the other candidates don't oppose the idea, Roy is the only one who has said he would make it a priority.
International students 'anglicizing the job market': Bélanger
The candidates were adamant the CAQ and the Parti Québécois don't hold a monopoly over protecting the French language.
Bélanger came out of the gate with a proposal to refuse work permits to international students in Montreal who don't speak French, accusing them of 'anglicizing the job market.'
Other candidates said they would bolster francization funding.
'When someone knocks on the door of a French course, I want the door to open and for there to be a teacher on the other side,' Milliard said. 'French is in decline in some areas,' and has to be protected, he said.
Rodriguez criticized the CAQ for its handling of francization, which has included cuts to courses and layoffs of teachers. He, too, said the French language was under threat in Quebec and called it 'the most beautiful language in the world.'
Roy agreed French should be protected, but said protection measures shouldn't be taken 'against others, but with others,' promising to work with universities to improve French-language education.
Blackburn said French should be seen as an asset for economic growth, pointing to demographic trends that predict a growing francophone population worldwide.
'Change the tone' on immigration: Rodriguez
'We have to change the tone' on immigration, Rodriguez said, accusing Legault of framing immigrants as a threat.
'I'm not a threat,' said Rodriguez, who immigrated to Quebec as a child. Still, he said 'a step back' was needed on immigration so necessary levels could be determined.
Milliard also took a shot at the CAQ, accusing the party of 'dividing people' with immigration politics, adding he would look at the capacity of each region to take in immigrants. 'We're not responding to the promise' immigrants should expect, he said, pointing to shortfalls in housing and other services.
Quebec is experiencing a labour shortage, Blackburn said, meaning companies 'need workers coming through immigration.' But he called for a fairer distribution of asylum seekers and refugees across the country, saying Quebec should take in a proportion equivalent to its overall share of the population.
'We absolutely should take in foreign workers,' Roy said, calling for an immigration system that is 'controlled and planned for the long term.'
Bélanger called for Quebec to reduce the number of immigrants it takes in based on 'cold and objective' calculations.
Rodriguez remains target of attacks
Though the debate, like the last two, remained civil, Rodriguez still got the front-runner treatment. The former federal cabinet minister was reminded more than once of his past gig.
Roy at one point interrupted his call for better cooperation with Ottawa on francization, saying 'you were in the federal government.'
The next debate is planned for May 22 in Laval and will focus on public services.