Quebec plans to ban students from wearing religious symbols in schools

Quebec’s new education minister, Joël Arseneau, says the government plans to ban schoolchildren from wearing religious symbols.

Stephen Brown, president of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, accused the Parti Québécois government of targeting children’s rights and discriminating against religious minorities. He said the proposed ban would affect students who wear items such as hijabs, turbans, kippahs and crucifixes.

According to a report by The Canadian Press, Arseneau described the measure as “non-negotiable,” although the government has not announced when it will introduce legislation.

Québec solidaire has also opposed the proposal, arguing that the education system should focus on staff shortages, school repairs and reducing dropout rates rather than expanding secularism laws.

The proposal comes amid ongoing legal proceedings over Quebec’s Bill 21, which prohibits public-sector employees, including teachers, from wearing religious symbols at work. The law is currently being challenged before the Supreme Court of Canada.

This report by Erika Morris fromThe Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2026.