Provincial elections in 2018: the DGEQ accepts applicants veiled the face discovered

File Photo, Didier Debusschère

Nicolas Lachance

Tuesday, 20 February 2018 13:29

UPDATE
Tuesday, 20 February 2018 13:38

Look at this article

The people who wear the veil or the turban sikh may be candidates in the forthcoming elections, have confirmed Peter Reid, the director general of elections of Quebec (DGEQ).

A regulation of the DGEQ considered discriminatory by some political parties like Québec solidaire has just been changed. These regulations, which date from 1989 of denying people veiled to file an application, because the DGEQ had not “a view from the front complete the candidate from the shoulders” and that they were not the “heads uncovered” as stipulated in the regulations.

“It has been removed, simply,” said Peter Reid, now in parliamentary committee in the national Assembly, arguing that this change was not an issue with regard to the identification of the candidate to the returning officer as to the voters on the ballot.

“There are candidates or candidates who could wear the hijab. Party the time the face is exposed and is identifiable there is no problem,” he recounted, pointing out that the niqab and full veil were always excluded.

During the last election in 2014, the green Party was denied a nomination by the DGEQ, because she wore a hijab. This year, this candidate could be accepted,” said Mr. Reid, stating that there will be a directive that will establish “clear” photos that are acceptable.

This amendment has been approved by all parties. The prime minister Philippe Couillard recalled that, in any case, it is the citizen in the ballot box which has the last word. He stressed the importance that “our laws and charters must be respected”.

Not the PQ

Although Jean-François Lisée states that “the most important thing is that we can see the face” and that it is “okay” with this regulation, it is “unlikely” that the PQ has a candidate who is wearing the veil. “It would be doubtful, because we have a policy that a reserve with respect to religious symbols,” said the leader of the PQ.

On his side, to Québec solidaire, all the people who advocate their values, may submit a nomination. So yes, there could be people who wear religious signs. “The important thing is the people who share the vision of Québec solidaire (…) If people share it, yes they were welcome,” said Manon Massé.