MPP Gila Martow slams Quebec's Bill 21 in open letter

Bill 21 bans the wearing of religious symbols such as hijabs, kippas and turbans by teachers and other government employees deemed to be in positions of authority. For Martow, this bill does not come as a surprise.

"It has been interesting to watch some of Ontario’s community leaders, and a smattering of municipal politicians, voice their displeasure at Québec’s latest attempt to make visible religious minorities feel unwelcome," Martow writes.

"Bill 21, which seeks to eliminate religious clothing and symbols in public institutions, is just another step in Québec’s decades-long course of action to create a 'culturally French' province. Forgive those of us who fled Montreal for Toronto for being somewhat less surprised than our neighbours."

Martow serves as the MPP for Thornhill, Ontario, but notes her family originates from Quebec. "My Montreal anglophone family made every effort to embrace the French language with much success," she notes and outlines the various ways her family assimilated to the cultural demands of Quebec. However, Martow writes that none of her family stayed in Quebec, opting to move to Ontario.

Martow explains that the exodus of Anglophone families from Quebec began far before modern-day Quebec controversies. "It started with threats of separation, then distinct society status for the special French province, followed by legislation to mandate the use of French in public," she writes.

"Former Montrealers saw Bill 101 in the 1970’s for what it was: an attempt to tell non-pûr laine Quebecers that they will never be fully accepted."

Martow also makes note of Quebec overriding constitutional rights. "Québec is able to override constitutional rights by invoking the Notwithstanding Clause. In fact, I had hoped to raise awareness of minority rights in Quebec when Doug Ford’s government debated the clause’s use in order to slash Toronto’s super-sized council. Instead, I shall use this opportunity to share a few of my thoughts."

Additionally, Martow criticizes Canadians who are only now realizing how marginalizing Quebec culture can be. "This has been a long time coming. If Canadians are only realizing the problems of Québec in 2021, then, frankly, they just have not been paying attention," she writes.

"I’m afraid that things won’t change until the average Canadian realizes that placating Québec is a transparent and undignified electoral strategy and must be challenged. We need to wake up to our federal parties’ duplicitous electoral strategy invoking one set of rules for English Canada and another for Québec. It isn’t right, and it is having dire consequences," Martow continues.

Notably, Martow outlines how championing equity and inclusion is seen as a negative for Quebec voters. "Thomas Mulcair took a principled stance on the wearing of the Muslim niqab at citizenship ceremonies, and it cost him dearly. Yet, when PM Trudeau declared that Québec had the right to impose a “values test” on newcomers settling in the province, it was met with passive acceptance," she writes."

"Mark my words, if we allow Québec to continue down this path, I am afraid the next piece of legislation will be even more grotesque," Martow concludes.