The Lakeshore General Hospital has no plans at this point to defy Bill 60, the proposed Charter of Quebec Values that would prohibit the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, including the kippah and hijab, in the workplace.
Last week, The Gazette reported that the Jewish General Hospital announced it would defy Bill 60.
The government tabled legislation on Nov. 7. The bill includes a clause that would allow hospitals to phase in the restrictions over a five-year period, with an option to extend the transition for an additional four years, but the Jewish General said it wouldn’t consider using the exemption clause or extension.
When Lakeshore General officials were asked last week if the hospital plans to follow the Jewish General’s lead, a spokesman said a statement had been made through the Association québécoise d’établissements de santé et de services sociaux.
The association released a statement Thursday saying the restrictions in the bill would apply to all institutions in the AQESSS network, and that the bill’s content would be discussed at a meeting on Jan. 14.
kgreenaway@montrealgazette.com