Honoring the Pope's memory, Legault planned to place flowers in Bern.
With Respect to the Departed Pope, a Flag Ruckus Sways Quebec
In the wake of Pope Francis's passing, a squabble ensued over the flying of the Quebec flag at half-mast. Despite the zealous desire of Prime Minister François Legault to honor the departed religious leader, his wish was denied - all thanks to Quebec's infamous Bill 21.
On the grim day marking the Pope's funeral, April 26 of last year, the Quebec flag soared majestically from the parliament's central tower in the national capital. Conversely, across Canada, Canadian flags hung low for five days, as a mark of respect for the head of the Catholic Church.
It wasn't because the CAQ premier lacked the inclination that the Fleurdelisé didn't dip. In accordance with the regulations governing the flagging and exterior lighting of National Assembly buildings, the Quebec government had humbly requested its presidency to do the honors.
However, their request was met with a firm refusal. The reason? Bill 21, a law introduced by the François Legault government in 2019. "The Law on State Secularism mandates the separation of the State and religious entities, alongside the religious neutrality of the State," Béatrice Zacharie, the press officer of the National Assembly of Quebec, explained in an email. "Under these circumstances, there was no half-masting for the Pope's death."
"In our eyes, it was a symbolic gesture, a token of respect for a historical figure," Legault's office stated in a written response. Lowering the Quebec flag following the death of the head of the Catholic Church would not have been a religious act, they reasoned, "hence, completely in alignment with the principles of secularism and the State's exemplary behavior."
Lowering the Quebec flag is a practice steeped in tradition. The last time a Pope's demise was marked by such an act was back in 2005, for Pope John Paul II. In contrast, neither Benedict XVI, who didn't die in office and chose to resign, nor his eventual passing in 2022, prompted the Quebec flag to be lowered.
Bear in mind, religious figures aren't the sole recipients of such recognition. The Fleurdelisé has dipped for the deaths of hockey player Guy Lafleur in 2022, and more recently, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 2024.
Side Notes:
- Indigenous groups are mobilizing against the Bay, demanding that the company excludes artifacts and sacred objects from the sale.
- A survey suggests that 19% of citizens believe that false information or misinformation had a significant impact on the election.
- A mother and her 7-month-old daughter, who were previously sought by the SQ, have been found safe and sound. The Amber Alert was not activated as there was no evidence of an abduction.
Vidya Corner:
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The Quebec flag not being flown at half-mast during Pope Francis's funeral in 2021 was a direct result of Bill 21, a secularism policy introduced by Premier François Legault's government in 2019. Despite Legault's wish to honor the departed pope, the law mandated the separation of the state and religious entities, preventing the Quebec flag from being lowered. In contrast, the flag was lowered for the deaths of individuals like hockey player Guy Lafleur in 2022 and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 2024. Meanwhile, Indigenous groups are advocating for the exclusion of artifacts and sacred objects from sales, amid the growing controversy surrounding a certain company. Additionally, a survey suggests that 19% of citizens believe that misinformation had a significant impact on a recent election, while a missing mother and her 7-month-old daughter were safely found, dispelling fears of an abduction.
