Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has announced that a welcome sign in the lobby of the city hall depicting a woman wearing a headscarf will be removed in the name of secularism. The sign, which features a woman wearing a headscarf standing between two men, has been criticized as offensive by some. Plante stated that the discomfort caused by the image, along with the importance of upholding secularism in institutions, were reasons for its removal. The move comes amidst a broader discussion about the role of religion in public spaces in Montreal.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the sign at the city hall, another photo featuring a hijab has sparked debate in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. The public library used a photo with children, including a smiling girl wearing a hijab, to advertise a reading event. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of the Parti Québécois, has expressed concerns about the encroachment of religion into the public sphere. These incidents have reignited a discussion about the visibility of religion in public settings in Montreal.
The issue of religion in public spaces gained further attention following the suspension of 11 teachers at a Montreal public elementary school over allegations of toxic behavior and inappropriate religious instruction. The welcome sign at City Hall, which was unveiled last June after renovation, has faced criticism since its installation. Groups such as the Mouvement laïque québécois, advocating for state secularism, have called for the removal of the sign, arguing that it goes against the principles of equality and freedom of conscience.
Various organizations, including women’s rights group Pour les droits des femmes du Québec, have written to Mayor Plante expressing their concerns about the image on the welcome sign. Describing the hijab as a fundamentalist religious symbol, these groups have urged the mayor to prioritize social cohesion and remove the sign. Plante announced during a talk show appearance that the process to replace the image was already in motion. The mayor’s office has not provided further details on the matter following Plante’s comments.
The decision to remove the image of the woman wearing a headscarf from the city hall lobby reflects ongoing debates surrounding secularism and religious visibility in public institutions in Montreal. As Plante emphasized the importance of upholding secularism while acknowledging the diversity and cultural richness of the city, the issue remains a topic of discussion among politicians, advocacy groups, and the public. The controversy surrounding the welcome sign and the library advertisement serves as a reflection of broader tensions and challenges related to the intersection of religion and public life in Quebec.
