Fatima Houda-Pepin breaks Liberal ranks on charter debate

Liberal MNA Fatima Houda-Pepin has broken rank withher party's views on the secular charter, saying garments like the chador are symbols of fundamentalism.

"I do not support the charter as it stands now. However, I do support neutrality of the state," said Houda-Pepin in an interview with Radio-Canada on Friday.

Houda-Pepin the only Muslim woman in the Quebec national assembly wrote a letter to the Canadian Press afterLiberalsecularism critic Marc Tanguay said he would welcome candidates wearing the chador,alarge veil that covers a womans body and head.

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In the letter, the MNA representing theLa Pinire electoral districtcomparedher party's views to those heldin Saudi Arabia.

This is the straw that broke the camel's back," wroteHouda-Pepin."Gender equality is a fundamental rightin anera of fundamentalism. We must protect it,defend itand not put it at risk."

Couillardresponds

In response, QuebecLiberalleader, Philippe Couillardsaid he would not removeHouda-Pepinfrom the caucus, instead proposing a meeting to discuss the party's stance.

"This can only be done by a teamwith, by and for the team," said Couillard at a newsconference Friday morning.

Couillardalso said he will never allow a candidate wearing the chador torepresenttheparty.

The Liberal leader did, however, reprimand Houda-Pepinfor overstepping her bounds as an MNA by speaking publicly on a sensitive issue without consulting thecaucus.

Houda-Pepinsaid the issue of specific religiousgarments was never addressed by the caucus and that she has always believed thechadoris a symbol of oppression for women.

"I see the national assembly as the seat of our democracy, and to see theimage thechadorprojects I was shocked!" saidHouda-Pepin.

Tanguaysaid today that his statement was "extremely hypothetical," and hopes that Houda-Pepinwill quickly return to the caucus.

OnThursday, theParti-Qubcoissaid it supportedHouda-Pepin's stance on the religious garment.

• Maria Mourani, expelled Bloc MP, quits the party

"She made the same observation that we did thatgender equality must prevail," said PQminister Bernard Drainville.

In September, BlocQubcoisMPMariaMouraniwasexpelled from the caucusin Ottawa for opposingthe draft of thePQ'scharter of values.