Implications of state sovereignty over education, religion and
ethics
Introduction
It appears from Quebec government policy documents describing its proposed Charter of Values (the precise language of which has yet to be released) that it considers physicians and other health care workers to be state functionaries because they are engaged in the delivery of “public” health care. As state functionaries, they will be forbidden to wear noticeable religious symbols or clothing, unless local authorities exempt them from this restriction.
However, no exemptions will be allowed to parts of the Charter that will impose secularism and restrict accommodation of religious beliefs. These are central government policies that are to be enacted through the Charter of Values and related legislation. This gives rise to an important question.
Will the government of Quebec – sooner or later – use its Charter of Values to suppress freedom of conscience and religion among health care workers?
An answer to the question is suggested by a review of the Quebec government’s continuing efforts to establish state hegemony in the moral and ethical education of children. . . Full Text