Bill 94 – Can we really deny these rights?

Quebec is about to vote on a new legislation that would deny access to Muslim women who wear the niqab (face veil) to health care, educational opportunities, public employment, and essential government services.

Forcing women to reveal their bodies is no different from forcing them to be covered up. We are still controlling women’s autonomy. In our society that is supposed to be democratic, women should have the choice. If they choose that they want to wear the niqab, then that is their choice and it should be respected. It does not change her need for some of these very basic of health care, education, employment, and other services.  Currently in Ontario, it is legal for a woman to go topless. Most people do not do that here, unless it is the Pride Parade downtown. It does not make people feel comfortable. Why can I choose to wear a shirt to cover parts of my body but a Muslim woman cannot choose to cover hers with a niqab?

As a doula (in Ontario), if this were the case here and I was supporting a Muslim woman, if she was in labour and was wearing her niqab, would they tell her that if she wanted to have her baby, she would have to take it off before coming in? If her labour is progressing well, why would you go and pressure her, deny her and her baby access to health care?

Spirituality and religion is a different subject for all of us. Some people may be atheists, Buddhist, humanist, Jewish, Christian, follow Earth-based spiritualities or a multitude of others. This is not a reason what we should be discriminating. If someone believes in their faith tradition and they are empowered by it to love and care for each other, than who are we to take it away?

Many people of the Muslim faith are already being targeted by discrimination since 9-11. This would perpetuate that discrimination. People will stop taking the time to get to know a person based on more than physical appearance. Canada is a country that is known for its multiculturalism. I live in Toronto where you can find almost any culture. I live in a neighbourhood that is very diverse with people, Muslims included. Many women that I see on a daily basis cover their heads, wear the niqab, and some the hijab. I love going out with my daughter (who is almost 3) and playing in the park. She gets to see and interact with so many different people. She gets to see the most important thing – we are all people.

If this bill is passed, I don’t know if I will be able to really believe that Canada is a multicultural community. Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows us the freedom of religion. This would not be congruent with our deepest values as a society.

Government of Canada – you cannot control our bodies this way!