Bill 60 - Charter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests - Medical residents say "no" to prohibition on wearing religious symbols in health care system

MONTREAL, Feb. 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - "Medical residents are against the prohibition on wearing religious symbols in the health care system proposed by the government in Bill 60. Section 5 of the draft legislation suggests the introduction of a measure that does not respond to any real problem and that constitutes a totally unwarranted restriction on a fundamental right."

These were the words used by the president of the Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec, Dr Joseph Dahine, to express the position of that organization, which represents 3,600 physicians in postgraduate education in the four medical faculties of the University of Montreal, McGill University, Laval University and the University of Sherbrooke, at his Parliamentary Committee hearing yesterday.

Discriminatory measure
"The adoption of section 5 of Bill 60, a key measure of the Charter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests, would discriminate against those for whom wearing religious symbols is an important component in their exercise of religious freedom," the FMRQ president continued. In his view, this section is also likely to limit access to medical education for a number of Quebecers.

In that regard, Dr Dahine pointed out that "a number of medical residents have already made it clear that they might have to leave Quebec's medical schools to pursue their training elsewhere if such a measure were to come into effect, in order to be able to continue living and working in accordance with their religious convictions." He did, however, maintain that health professionals must in all circumstances deliver care with their faces uncovered. During their training, medical residents provide care to the public in various health care establishments throughout Quebec. A consultation of residents carried out in recent months confirmed that the wearing of religious symbols by colleagues was no problem for them whatsoever and had no impact on the quality of the care they deliver.

"Yes" to a secular State, "No" to religious restrictions on individuals
Dr Dahine pointed out that the Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec agrees with the principles of a secular State, and with there being a clear separation between organized religion and the State. "But it is this very religious neutrality that we feel is under attack today with the proposal to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols. Such a measure would, in fact, affect only adherents of religious faiths for whom wearing such a symbol is an important component in the free expression of their faith. In our view," the FMRQ president stressed, "the Quebec government must remove the discriminatory restrictions contained in section 5 of its Bill and the other provisions associated with the restriction on wearing religious symbols."

Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
The Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec is made up of the four medical residents' associations of the medical faculties of the University of Montreal, McGill University, the University of Sherbrooke and Laval University in Quebec City. It has close to 3,600 members, of whom one quarter are headed for a practice in family medicine. The others are pursuing training in one of the 53 other specialties recognized in Quebec. Of that number, 40% are men and 60% are women. The duration of postgraduate education in family medicine is two years, while for specialized physicians it varies from five to six years, depending on the specialty chosen.

SOURCE: Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec

Dr Joseph Dahine, President
Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
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and interviews: Communications advisor
Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
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