The forthcoming legislation on religious symbols is the hot topic of discussion as MNAs with the CAQ began a two-day caucus retreat in Gatineau on Wednesday.
Banning religious symbols for government employees was the CAQ's signature campaign promise, and the government plans to follow through with legislation — likely in the coming session of the National Assembly.
The main question is, whether there should be a grandfather clause for workers who are already on the government's payroll — including for teachers, police officers, and Crown prosecutors.
Premier François Legault has said he wants to send a message to those in authority that they can't wear religious symbols on the job, though some MNAs aren't keen on the idea of firing people because of them.
"It's not black and white. There are good arguments for both positions, so that's why I want to listen to our 75 MNAs to see where's the population on this," Legault told reporters.
Earlier this week Immigration minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, the man in charge of drafting the new legislation, confirmed the government has approached school boards, provincial police and the province's justice department for information on how many employees wear religious symbols on the job.
MNAs return to Quebec City on Feb. 5 to open the new session of the National Assembly.