Members of the CAQ, including at least one minister, have voted in favour of a proposal calling for a complete ban on face coverings in public spaces.

The original resolution, presented by the youth wing at the party’s caucus in Gatineau, Que. Saturday, called for stricter public security measures, including a ban on masked protests and on encampments in both public and private spaces. 

But an amendment presented by youth wing member Benjamin Archambault, and receiving slim majority support from the party’s members, goes even further by calling for a complete ban on face coverings in public. 

“In a free and equal society, we cannot accept that certain women are hidden up to their eyes behind a veil,” Archambault argued. “We already ask that faces be uncovered to get a passport, to pass an exam or to drive. Why make an exception in public?” 

Quebec Premier François Legault told reporters his caucus has yet to take a stance on the issue, but that it is a question worth asking.

“Other countries did it so I think it’s normal that we think about it,” he said. “That we look at what are the pros, the cons. So that’s what we’ll do in the next few months.” 

The purpose of such a ban would be twofold, Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge added. On the one hand, he says, it reinforces public security, and on the other it promotes state secularism.

“This all said, it raises issues that need to be seriously examined from a rights and freedoms point of view and a legal point of view,” Roberge said. “I really can’t say if we will go in this direction.”

Roberge added he voted in favour of the resolution because he feels it’s a debate worth having, but it’s too soon to say if the government would ban the niqab, for instance. 

The minister is focusing his energy for now on tabling a bill this fall to strengthen secularism and ban prayer in public spaces.

The amended resolution on face coverings was far from unanimous, with 152 votes in favour of it and 150 against. 

Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière was one of those who opposed the amendment, explaining the idea seems too broad and would be difficult to apply. 

Even Roberge, who voted in favour, admitted the term ‘face covering’ may be large, as people have their faces covered in public for many reasons, including bundling up in cold weather.