MUHC calls on Quebec to scrap secular charter

The McGill University Health Centre is calling on the PartiQuébécois government to scrap its controversial secular charter.

The MUHC says it surveyed its employees and found that 90 per cent of them are against the proposed bill, which would ban public workers from wearing overt religious symbols while on the job.

In the internal poll, 125 workers also said they would quit and leave the province if they were prevented from wearing religious symbols in the workplace.

“The opposition to Bill 60 was overwhelming,” the internal letter reads, which was sent to CBC via email.

The MUHC is demanding the government withdraw the bill.

Officials of Montreal’s English-language hospitals also say they are ready to challenge Bill 60 in court if the legislation is passed.

“We came to this conclusion because we are convinced that Bill 60 is trying to solve a problem that does not exist and is not an issue within our institution,” the letter states.

The letter goes on to say that the charter would diminish the hospital's ability to provide quality health care.

“It will make the MUHC a much less welcoming environment for our patients and their families, create friction with our suppliers and result in insurmountable challenges in terms of staff retention, recruitment and morale.”

Leaders at the MUHC say they plan to present their position at public hearings about the charter, which will be held in Quebec City in the new year.