Quebec Snubs Lowering the Flag for Pope's Death: An Unusual Move Amid Routine Practices
Honoring the Pope, Legault Proposes Floral Display in Bern
In a surprising deviation from tradition, Quebec chose not to lower its flag following the death of Pope Francis, a move that contradicts usual practices in such occasions. Here's the lowdown on this unconventional decision and its possible explanations.
On the 26th of April last year, Quebec's flag proudly soared over the central tower of Parliament, while the Canadian flags on government buildings across the country were lowered in respect for the late Pope. This notable contrast wasn't due to lack of intent from Prime Minister François Legault, who had requested that the National Assembly lower the Quebec flag, as per the official rules of the buildings in question. However, his request was declined.
The Law on State Secularism, formally known as Bill 21, enacted in 2019 by the government of François Legault, was the reason for the snub. According to Béatrice Zacharie, spokesperson for the National Assembly of Quebec, "In these circumstances, there was no lowering of the flag for the Pope's death." The Law on State Secularism promotes the separation of state and religions as well as the religious neutrality of the state, making the lowering of the Quebec flag an unlawful act in this instance.
The Prime Minister's office clarified their request, stating, "Lowering the Quebec flag after the death of the head of the Catholic Church would not have been a religious act, which remains fully in line with the principles of secularism and exemplarity of the State." However, the refusal sparked debate about the symbolic nature of such gestures and their relevance to the principles of secularism.
It's worth noting that lowering the Quebec flag isn’t exclusively reserved for religious figures. The flag has been lowered on various occasions to honor significant local figures, such as hockey player Guy Lafleur in 2022, and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 2024.
While the specific reasons behind refusing to lower the Quebec flag in this case remain unclear, potential factors may include protocol or tradition, political considerations, or administrative discretion. As more information unfolds, we'll keep you updated on this peculiar situation.
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- In a contrast to the usual practices, Quebec decided against lowering its flag for Pope Francis's death, a gesture that clashed with typical protocols during such events.
- The decision to not lower the Quebec flag was influenced by the Law on State Secularism, also known as Bill 21, which promotes the separation of state and religion and enacted by François Legault's government in 2019.
- Lowering the Quebec flag is not limited to religious figures; it has also been lowered to honor significant local figures like Guy Lafleur and Brian Mulroney in the past.
- The reasons for refusing to lower the Quebec flag this time are yet unclear, with possible factors including protocol, politics, or administrative discretion.
- As politics and policy unfold, possible explanations for Quebec's unusual move could become more discernible in the general news landscape.
