Quebec's controversial Bill 62 was before the courts on Friday as opponents sought a temporary injunction suspending part of the face-covering law.
A constitutional challenge is being launched by two Quebec muslim women, the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Their lawyer, Catherine McKenzie, argued that suspending the law is urgent because of the "irreparable harm" caused to her clients on a daily basis, such as:
- fear of leaving their homes;
- fear of removing their face veil every time they want to receive government services such as taking a public city bus or take a university course
- being subject to an increase in negative comments and aggressiveness by the public since the law was adopted Oct. 18.
McKenzie said that while some officials have said they would not enforce the law, it's still the law and creates a "Catch-22" choice for her clients and other Muslim women wearing face-veils: not seek government services or be refused and humiliated when receiving the services.
She argued that the law should be suspended until the government provides guidelines and accomodations or until the constitutional challenge is heard.
Eric Cantin, lawyer for the province, argued that the plaintiffs have not shown situations where prejudice has occurred or that there'll be irreparable harm because of the law. He said they are situations based on fears - some being hypothetical - and should not be considered irreparable harm.
Cantin told the court the law was adopted in the public interest. He said reasonable accomodations currently exist and can be applied on a case-by-case basis or according to case law.
Cantin added the arguments made in the statements of the two Muslim women were weak and represented only ``concerns'' of possible discrimination.
He said according to their declarations, the women are able to receive the same services as they did before the law went into effect.
Marie-Michelle Lacoste, a Quebec woman who wears the veil and one of the plaintiffs, told reporters after the hearing that Cantin is wrong with regards to his claim that the plaintiffs didn't face actual discrimination.
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"He doesn't know what he's talking about," she said. "I invite him to walk in my shoes for one week."
The judge has taken the case under deliberation - it's not known when a ruling is expected.
The face-covering ban took effect in October and extends to attending class in Quebec's public educational institutions or boarding public transit in the province, although people can don the face coverings again once they have shown identification on the bus or subway.
—with files from The Canadian Press