Quebec's National Assembly Approves Ban On Kirpans In Parliament Building

In Canada, Quebec's National Assembly yesterday unanimously approved a motion supporting security officials' decision last month (see prior posting) to deny entry to Parlilament Building to a group of Sikhs who were wearing their kirpans (ceremonial daggers). Four members of the World Sikh Organization who had been scheduled to testify on a Bill 94 relating to accommodation of religious practices were denied entry when metal detectors revealed their kirpans. CTV Montreal reports that yesterday's National Assembly vote was influenced by memories of 1984 shootings in the National Assembly that killed three people. The World Sikh Organization says the issue is not security, but rather the place of tolerance and multiculturalism in Quebec. Parti Québécois member Louise Beaudoin responded: "Multiculturalism may be a Canadian value, but it's not a Quebec one."