EMSB community speaks out about proposed religious symbols ban

The Quebec government's proposed law that would ban public servants from wearing religious symbols in the workplace met with a cool response from theEnglish Montreal School Board community Wednesday night.

Linda Sullivan, a parent of two children at an EMSB school, got a call about the emergency meeting earlier in the week and decided to attend so she could to speak out about the proposed law.

"The Legault government's legislation is promoting divisions in our society," Sullivan said.

Class size and upkeep of school infrastructure are more important, she said.

By Monday, the EMSB responded with the emergency meeting and invitedanyone to attend and share their thoughts on the issue.

It was called by school commissioner Julien Feldman, the chair of the EMSB human resources committee, to get feedback on how the EMSB should respond to the proposed law.

"I think it's important to listen to our community and whatever position we end up taking, I think it will have more credibility," Feldman said.

Furheen Ahmed has been a teacher for 12 years and currently teaches at Westmount High School.

She attended the meeting to understand what the ESMB's approach to the issue is and to voice her opinion.

"I want the EMSB to fight this," she said.

Angela Mancini, the EMSB's chair, said the wearing of religious symbols by teachers has no impact on students.