Quebec releases criteria for requesting exemption under face-covering law

QUEBEC — The Quebec government has unveiled some of its guidelines for dealing with requests for religious accommodation under its controversial law banning people from receiving or giving a public service with their face covered.

Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee told a news conference Wednesday that each request for accommodation will still be considered individually under the new framework.

As an example, she said a request to put frosted glass in a gym window could be accepted in certain circumstances but refused in others.

Vallee says the guidelines stipulate that requests must be serious and respect the equality between men and women if they are to be approved.

A Superior Court justice stayed a key provision of the controversial Bill 62 in December, ruling the law was incomplete until the province established the rules under which exemptions could be granted.

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The legislation was passed in October and was criticized for targeting Muslim women because they are among the few people in society who wear face veils.

The Canadian Press