EMSB votes to defy Quebec secular charter

Quebec Education Minister Marie Malavoysays school boards won't have muchchoice when it comes to applying the secular charter, once it ispassed.

At a meeting Wednesdaynight, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), the city's largest English-language school board, passed a resolution thatrefuses to carry out key provisions of the Parti Qubcois's secular charter.

But Malavoy saysonce the proposed legislation is passed, the EMSB will have to comply.

"Maybe some school boards have some opinions, but I think when the law will be voted on, it will have to be applied."

"I think everybody will have to accept it," she said.

• INTERACTIVE |Breaking down Quebec's secular charter

• Quebec's secular charter: Bill 60

But officials with the school board say the controversial charter, and itsban on overt religious symbols, goes against core values of the education system.

"[Bill 60] runs contrary to what we as educators try to teach our kids," saidEMSBcommissionerSydWise.

"Our teachers teach tolerance of others, respect and recognition of individual rights, which includes freedom to adhere to one's religious convictions."

The school board saysit hasno intention of complyingwith thoseprovisions, which run contrary to the school board's core values.

The EMSB is expected to present a brief to Quebec's national assembly in early 2014.