Quebec Passes Secularism Law Further Restricting Public Prayer, Religious Symbols

Quebec Premier Francois Legault (L) congratulates Quebec Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration Jean-Francois Roberge after a legislation on secularism was voted on by the National Assembly at the legislature in Quebec City on April 2, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

The Quebec government has passed a law imposing new restrictions on religious symbols, public prayer, and funding for religious schools.

The province’s Bill 9, titled An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Quebec, passed 76–28 on April 2, with Premier François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec and the Parti Québécois voting in favour of the legislation, and the Liberals and Québec solidaire voting against it.