OTTAWA 鈥 Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was repeatedly asked about his stance on Quebec鈥檚 controversial secularism legislation on Wednesday, as he put forth his bid to serve a second term as Canada鈥檚 prime minister.
Trudeau fielded questions about why his party has been hesitant to intervene on Bill 21, which the Quebec government has said will ensure religious neutrality across the province.
鈥淚鈥檓 totally against Bill 21, I think in a free society we shouldn鈥檛 legitimize or allow discrimination against anyone. I鈥檓 happy Quebecers themselves are going against this law,鈥 he said at a press conference outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
However, he said it would be 鈥渃ounterproductive鈥 for a federal government to insert itself into a provincial dispute.
鈥淲e will continue to monitor closely and evaluate our position,鈥 he added.
Trudeau has faced criticism for not taking a firm enough stance on the issue. Bill 21 bans public figures from donning religious symbols and clothing.
Some have speculated that the Liberal leader is staying more tight-lipped as the party seeks to pick up seats in Quebec.
Speaking to reporters in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was also pressed on the bill.
鈥淲e do not have the intention of intervening in this case. We have made it clear that this is not something that we would do at the federal level, and that has been our position from the beginning,鈥 he said.
There are 40 days until election night on Oct. 21, and Quebec remains a key battleground, as it was in 2015. Recent polls show Liberals holding strong support in the region, while the Conservatives lag behind and the NDP trail even further.
In a campaign advertisement released last week, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh addressed the discrimination he would face as a turbaned Sikh in Quebec. Under the legislation, he would have to remove his turban to work as a police officer or school teacher.
鈥淚 think about all the people I鈥檝e met in Montreal 鈥 the young women who I met who love science and teaching but can鈥檛 because of the bill. It鈥檚 a divisive law,鈥 said Singh in his campaign launch speech in London, Ont.
鈥淲e say don鈥檛 discriminate someone by the way they look, there鈥檚 a law that says we鈥檙e allowed to. I鈥檓 hoping my presence in Quebec as someone who wears a turban is a way to show people that I believe in fighting for your identity.鈥
Green Leader Elizabeth May was not asked about the bill as she kicked off her campaign in B.C.
When asked about the bill on CTV鈥檚 Power Play, People鈥檚 Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier said he, like Scheer, would not intervene in the matter.
鈥淭he Quebec government will have to be judged from Quebecers at the next election, so I won鈥檛 interfere in that, it鈥檚 in the constitution,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t is not something that I can speak about because I鈥檓 respecting the constitution and I respect the decision from the Quebec government. They will have to live with it.鈥
With files from CTVNews.ca Writer Ben Cousins
