Breaking News Coverage Of A Key Development In Quebecs Religious Freedom Debate

Supreme Court Justice Recuses Himself from Bill 21 Challenge

Breaking News Coverage of a Key Development in Quebec's Religious Freedom Debate

Montreal, Quebec - [Date]

In a significant development in the ongoing legal challenge to Quebec's Bill 21, Supreme Court Justice Roch Côté has recused himself from the case. The recusal comes after the Quebec government raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest due to Côté's previous involvement in a legal case related to religious freedom.

Bill 21 is a controversial law that prohibits certain public sector employees, including teachers, police officers, and judges, from wearing religious symbols at work. The law has been challenged by several groups, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, which argue that it violates the rights of religious minorities.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the challenge to Bill 21 in the fall of 2023. Côté's recusal means that the court will need to appoint a new justice to consider the case.

Additional Details

* The Quebec government had argued that Côté's previous involvement in a case involving the Jehovah's Witnesses could lead to a conflict of interest in the Bill 21 case. * Côté has not publicly commented on his reasons for recusing himself. * TheSupreme Court has not yet announced who will replace Côté on the panel of justices hearing the Bill 21 challenge. * The recusal is the latest development in a high-profile legal battle that has sparked heated debate across Canada about religious freedom and discrimination.