WSO welcomes Supreme Court decision to hear Bill 21 religious freedom appeal

THE World Sikh Organization of Canada  (WSO) on Thursday welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to grant leave to appeal in the case challenging Quebec’s Bill 21. The WSO and Quebec educator Amrit Kaur are appellants in this case.

Amrit Kaur, a past WSO Board member who is a practicing Sikh and wears articles of faith, including a dastaar (turban), as a part of her beliefs, was forced to leave Quebec in order to pursue her profession. The WSO and Amrit Kaur will be represented by Léon Moubayed and Faiz Lalani from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP.

WSO President Danish Singh said: “The Bill 21 appeal is deeply significant—not only for the Sikh community but for the broader principles of religious freedom, human rights and multiculturalism that define Canada. Bill 21’s discriminatory impact on visible minorities has forced individuals like Amrit Kaur, a Sikh teacher, to choose between their faith and their profession—an unacceptable choice in a country committed to protecting fundamental rights.  We are also seeing the impacts of Bill 21 in Quebec’s Sikh community which has experienced rising intolerance.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to grant leave to appeal is an important opportunity to examine the historic and fundamental protections for religious minorities and the limits of the notwithstanding clause in a case where it has been weaponized to override fundamental freedoms and disproportionately target visible minorities.

“We are encouraged by the federal government’s expressed willingness to intervene in this case and look forward to their participation as it proceeds.

“As this case advances, we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the rights of all Canadians to live and work freely, without discrimination. The stakes could not be higher, and the outcome of this case will have profound implications for the future of human rights and freedoms in Canada. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by Bill 21 and will continue to advocate on their behalf.”

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