Quebec Liberals to consider religious dress code

After weeks of criticizing the Parti Qubcois'ssecular charter, the Quebec Liberals may consider softening their stance on a religious dress code for some civil servants.

The Liberals today confirmed that an internal committee is studying the option of implementing a religious dress code for police officers, judges, and others in positions of authority.

That would fall in line with the recommendations of the 2008 recommendations from theBouchard-Taylor reasonable accommodation commission.

Until today, the Liberalparty has said any restrictions on individual freedoms are unacceptable.

• Quebec Liberal leader rejects PQ charter of values

MNAFatimaHouda-Ppinbreaks party line

Party officials say the possible changes have nothing to do with recent dissent fromMNA Fatima Houda-Ppin, who broke ranks last week to say that garments like the chador are symbols of fundamentalism.

• Fatima Houda-Ppin breaks Liberal ranks on charter debate

That upset some Liberals, and led to suggestions she'd have to quit the party.

But Liberal leader Philippe Couillardsaid they've put allarguments behind them.

"The way forward is leadership. I define leadership as bringing people together instead of sending them away," Couillard said.

Couillardsaid he's hoping to keep the peace by giving Houda-Ppin a bigger role in drafting the party's new position.

Houda-Ppinis the only Muslim woman in the national assembly.

PQ calls Liberals 'weak'

Couillard says while the party may open the door to banning overt religious symbols for some public employees, he denies he's flip-flopping on the issue.

"The balance always has to be maintained. The fight against terrorism [and]fundamentalism is a daily challenge in all open and democratic societies. Our challenge is not to relinquish our liberties while doing that," Couillard said.

The PQ is now calling on the opposition to compromise even further.

"They are evolving at last," said Bernard Drainville, the PQ minister in charge of the charter.

"Now they seem to be a little less weak. But it is still very weak to say thatreligiousneutrality extends only to judges and police and prison guards," he said.

Other PQ ministers say their strategy is working, and with time, the opposition parties will warm up to the secular charter.

"The debateis bringing even reluctant parties like the Liberal party to moveforwardtowardour position. Ithink we should give them more time to move even moreforward," said PQ cabinet minister Jean-FranoisLise.

But Couillardinsists the Liberal partywon't go ahead with any charterrestrictions if they violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.