This, according to a new, national public opinion poll from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute, which finds nearly two-thirds of Quebecers (64%) supporting the bill overall, though certain symbols are still considered more acceptable for public employees to wear than others.
Further, a small majority of Quebecers say fining violators of the proposed law would be appropriate (54% say it would be), but a wide majority (86%) agree that jail time would be an inappropriate punishment for a public employee who disobeys Bill 21.
More Key Findings:
- As was the case when ARI asked last October, slightly more than half of Quebecers view wearing a crucifix (57%) or a Star of David (51%) as acceptable for public employees. Seven other symbols are more likely to be seen as unacceptable than acceptable, with burkas, niqabs, and kirpans drawing the most opposition
- While nearly two-in-three Quebecers (64%) support Bill 21, those living elsewhere in Canada are more likely to oppose such a law in their own provinces (52% do) than to support it (37%)
- Almost half of Quebecers (48%) say Bill 21, if passed, would have a negative impact on relations between ethnic groups in the province. Roughly half that many (25%) say it would have a positive impact in this arena
Link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/quebec-bill-