**
In the wake of François Legault’s resignation as Premier of Quebec, many minority communities are grappling with a sense of alienation and uncertainty about their future in the province. This sentiment is particularly poignant for individuals like Samira Laouni, who moved to Montreal in 1998 seeking refuge from discrimination, yet now contemplates leaving the very place she hoped would be a safe haven.
A Journey of Hope Turned to Disillusionment
Samira Laouni relocated to Quebec primarily to escape the racism she experienced in France as a Muslim woman. The promise of a welcoming environment, articulated by a consular official during her immigration process, initially rang true. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when Legault took office and introduced controversial legislation that many minorities feel has eroded their rights.
Among these laws is Bill 21, enacted shortly after Legault assumed leadership, which prohibits public employees in authoritative roles from wearing religious symbols, disproportionately affecting observant Muslim women. Laouni, despite not working in the public sector, describes the environment fostered by such legislation as “hellish.” Her daughter, who was raised in a culture Laouni fought to protect, has opted to leave Quebec entirely to pursue her career in psychology in Ottawa.
Legislative Changes and Community Impact
The climate for minorities worsened with the introduction of Bill 96 in 2022, which intensified restrictions against English usage in medium-sized businesses and government services. This added to the growing unease among the anglophone community, who feel increasingly targeted by the Legault administration.
In addition, recent expansions of the religious symbols ban to include all public-school workers interacting with students have heightened tensions. Proposed legislation that would prevent English school boards from legally challenging certain provincial laws further threatens the rights of minority groups. While Legault has framed these measures as essential for preserving the French language and promoting Quebec’s secular values, many see them as a direct attack on their identities.
A Call for Rights and Recognition
National rights organisations have condemned the Legault government’s approach. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has labelled the recent legislative moves as indicative of an emerging “authoritarian drift,” highlighting concerns about the erosion of fundamental freedoms in the province. Legal experts, such as Montreal constitutional lawyer Julius Grey, have raised alarms about the prioritisation of collective aspirations over individual rights. Grey, who has fought against laws like Bill 21 and Bill 96, believes that the push for assimilation is becoming counterproductive, potentially alienating the very newcomers that Quebec seeks to integrate.
Long-standing residents too are feeling the strain. Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, has noted that even those who have lived in Quebec their entire lives can feel like outsiders under the current administration. His experience as an anglophone has led him to question his status in a province that has historically prided itself on its diversity.
The Human Cost of Political Decisions
Laouni reflects on the worsening environment for Muslims since the September 11 attacks, a sentiment that has only deepened following the tragic Quebec City mosque shooting in 2017, which claimed the lives of six Muslim men. In the aftermath of such events, Laouni co-founded Muslim Awareness Week in an attempt to foster understanding, yet the subsequent political rhetoric and laws have left her feeling more alienated than ever.
With her son planning to leave Canada after completing his studies at McGill University and Laouni considering a return to Morocco, the family finds itself at a crossroads. Despite their efforts to integrate—speaking French and pursuing higher education—their dream of being accepted as model immigrants feels increasingly unattainable.
Why it Matters
The resignation of François Legault marks a significant turning point in Quebec’s political narrative, particularly for minority communities who have felt increasingly marginalized. As legislative changes continue to shape the province’s social fabric, the experiences of individuals like Laouni serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between cultural preservation and individual rights. The future remains uncertain, but the voices of those who feel sidelined are becoming louder, demanding recognition and respect in a province that has long been celebrated for its diversity.
