Outside Montreal’s Dawson College, the usual scene of students enjoying the sun between classes and the hum of activity within its cafeteria and artisan market belies a growing undercurrent of dissent. For weeks, anger has been simmering beneath the surface of this English-language CEGEP, culminating in organized student walkouts and broader mobilizations across Quebec against the provincial government’s recently enacted Bill 9. This legislation, an extension of the province’s controversial secularism policy, has ignited fierce opposition from students, educators, and advocacy groups who argue it infringes upon fundamental rights and disproportionately targets religious minorities.
The Dawson Student Union (DSU), a hub of student activism adorned with anti-establishment posters and planning charts, has spearheaded a significant student walkout scheduled for Friday, May 1. Dawson College has a history of being an epicenter for protests against legislation restricting the public display of religious symbols, notably following the passage of the earlier Bill 21. "Our message to the government is that we won’t stand idly by and watch our rights be stripped away," stated Lauren Tzimopoulos, vice-president of academic affairs and advocacy with the DSU. "We won’t back down. We’ll keep defending students’ interests."
This sentiment is echoed by Sara El Alami Saidi, president of North Africa Now, a club representing students from that region. "We’re not opposed to keeping religion and state separate," Ms. El Alami Saidi explained, "But the government’s approach clearly discriminates against minorities." Both Ms. El Alami Saidi and Ms. Tzimopoulos believe Bill 9 specifically targets religious minorities, including Muslims, Jews, and Sikhs, whose religious practices involve the wearing of visible religious symbols. "Christians are also at risk of losing their prayer rooms," Ms. El Alami Saidi added. "They’re not happy, either."
A Solution to a Non-Existent Problem
The legislative journey that led to Bill 9 began in 2010 with the tabling of Bill 94, an initial attempt by Quebec to regulate religious accommodations within the public service. Although Bill 94 was never adopted, its underlying principles informed Quebec’s secularism policy, introduced 15 years later. This policy notably exempts the display of existing religious symbols on public property, the vast majority of which are Catholic and are considered part of Quebec’s cultural heritage.
The province’s first secularism law, Bill 21, was adopted in 2019, drawing immediate criticism for prohibiting public service workers in positions of authority, such as police officers, teachers, and judges, from wearing religious symbols. The current government, however, has significantly expanded these restrictions through Bill 9. The legislation now extends to daycare workers, subsidized private schools, and higher education institutions. Specifically, Bill 9 mandates the closure of prayer rooms in universities, prohibits religious practices on campus, and forbids students from covering their faces while accessing educational services.
"It violates our rights, and they know it," argued Ms. Tzimopoulos, referencing the provincial government’s repeated use of the notwithstanding clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). This clause allows legislative bodies to override certain Charter rights for a renewable period of five years. The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government has invoked this clause five times since assuming power in 2018, a move critics argue is used to push through legislation deemed discriminatory. Ms. Tzimopoulos emphasized that prayer rooms at Dawson College, used by Christian, Muslim, and Jewish students, have historically been sources of no conflict.
Antonia Fikkert, Secretary-Treasurer of the Dawson Teachers’ Union (DTU), concurred with the assessment that the legislation is unnecessary. "Our students coexist very well," she stated. "We are a multicultural, diverse, interfaith campus. To our eyes, this legislation is a solution to a problem that simply doesn’t exist."
Educators Voice Concerns Over Student Retention
In September 2025, the DTU formally adopted a motion to reject the report by the provincial legislative assembly concerning the draft of Bill 9. Ms. Fikkert articulated the faculty’s deep-seated concerns: "As an atheist teacher, I want all my students to be able to come to me as they are and know they can be wholly themselves within this institution. If they can’t be themselves here, they will choose, more and more, not to be here at all."
Leah, a first-year Dawson student, shared a perspective that resonates with many of her peers. "As a Muslim, you learn growing up that some places aren’t meant for you. They’re for other students," she explained. "When the bill was passed, it confirmed a lot about Quebec that I already believed." Despite her passion for tutoring and an aspiration to pursue a career in teaching, Leah has consistently viewed teaching as an unrealistic option due to her hijab. "It’s sad that Quebec – where I was born and have considered home all my life – and the politicians in charge make us feel like we don’t belong, or that we’ve done something wrong. But it doesn’t matter, they still won’t be able to get rid of minorities in Montreal or in Quebec."
At 18, Leah has pivoted her academic focus towards science, aiming for a career that offers greater freedom in personal expression. Nevertheless, she plans to participate in the upcoming protest. "A lot of people are getting involved who aren’t religious at all," she observed. "They feel it infringes on their rights, too – and they’re right. Once one minority is targeted, nothing is stopping them from targeting others."
Student Mobilization Spans the Province
The Quebec Student Union (QSU), representing 14 universities across the province, including HEC Montréal, Université de Montréal (UdeM), Polytechnique Montréal, and École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP), is among the organizations calling for a general strike in solidarity with the protests. "We drafted a brief and petitioned to present it to the parliamentary commission in person, but we never heard back," said QSU President Flora Dommanget. "Our central demand is that Bill 9 be withdrawn, pure and simple."
Beyond Bill 9, the QSU has expressed grave concerns regarding the government’s broader pattern of "authoritarian overreach," asserting that such measures "will hamper access to education by discriminating against certain people based on religious symbols." Ms. Dommanget contended that "The government is completely disconnected from the actual situation. It is critical to listen closely to the people who are directly affected by this legislation." Many students believe that the opposition to Bill 9 is only in its nascent stages, warning that the legislation could set a dangerous precedent if their voices are not adequately addressed.
On May 1, contingents from various Montreal universities are slated to participate in a major rally at Victoria Square at 6:00 p.m. Several CEGEPs, including Ahuntsic and Saint-Jérôme, are organizing local pickets and rallies in front of their respective institutions.
In response to inquiries regarding their stance on Bill 9, several Quebec universities provided statements. UdeM, Université Laval, Université du Québec à Rimouski, and Université du Québec à Montréal indicated that their institutions do not currently house prayer rooms. Concordia University and McGill University stated that they are actively assessing Bill 9 and its potential repercussions. Dawson College administrators did not respond to requests for an interview by the publication deadline.
Broader Implications and the Charter Challenge
The passage of Bill 9 represents a significant escalation in Quebec’s approach to secularism, moving beyond restrictions on public sector employees to encompass educational institutions. The legislation’s impact on religious freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to education is a central concern for opponents. The use of the notwithstanding clause, in particular, has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates who argue it undermines the foundational principles of rights protection in Canada.
Legal scholars and human rights organizations have pointed out that while the Quebec government asserts its right to define secularism within its jurisdiction, the broad scope of Bill 9, affecting students and potentially limiting their access to education, raises significant questions about its compatibility with constitutional rights. The debate is likely to continue, with legal challenges and ongoing public discourse expected as the implications of Bill 9 unfold across Quebec’s educational landscape. The student-led protests signify a growing determination to defend perceived rights and freedoms, potentially shaping future legal and political discourse in the province.
