“Choose Your Job Or Your Faith”: 150 Workers Leave Montreal Schools Over Quebec’s Secularism Law
Montreal’s largest school service centre has lost approximately 150 employees following the enforcement of Quebec’s expanded secularism legislation, raising concerns about staffing shortages and workplace rights.
The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) confirmed that dozens of support staff either resigned or were terminated after refusing to remove visible religious symbols at work. The departures stem from Bill 94, which broadens earlier restrictions under Bill 21.
Adopted in October 2025, Bill 94 extends the province’s ban on religious symbols beyond teachers and principals to include nearly all school employees who interact with students, such as daycare workers, lunchroom monitors, and special education staff (Human Resources Director Canada).
While some employees are protected under a “grandfather clause,” that protection does not apply to those hired or reassigned after March 2025. As a result, many long-time workers faced a difficult choice when changing roles within the system.
Labour representatives argue the law forces employees into an unfair position. Union leaders say workers are effectively being asked to choose between their livelihood and their religious identity, describing the situation as a “false choice” that undermines personal integrity. For many affected individuals; particularly those who wear religious attire such as hijabs, the requirement is not simply a workplace adjustment but a deeply personal compromise.
Quebec officials have defended the legislation as necessary to uphold state secularism. Former education minister Bernard Drainville, who introduced Bill 94, has stated that employees had the option to comply with the law and that consequences stem from individual decisions not to do so (Human Resources Director Canada). The government maintains that, like any law, the rules must be respected across public institutions.
The loss of 150 workers is significant for a system already facing staffing shortages. Reports indicate that Quebec schools have more than 1,000 unfilled support positions, meaning the departures could further strain services for students, especially those requiring additional support. Education leaders warn that expanding the ban to more staff roles risks deepening workforce gaps at a time when recruitment is already challenging.
The situation highlights an ongoing national debate over the balance between secularism and individual freedoms. Supporters of the law argue it reinforces neutrality in public institutions, while critics say it disproportionately affects religious minorities and limits access to public-sector employment.
Source: Adapted from Human Resources Director Canada
Photo Credits: Jaela Bernstien/CBC
