Céline Dion speaks out in favour of Québec's Charter of Values

You all know this lady, EH! She's Québec's darling, unofficial Canadian ambassador-at-large, and reigning queen of (white) pop in the Great Not-so-white North, Céline Dion. Just because she's a major celeb doesn't mean that Ms Dion has neither brains nor opinions. [That would be more like the Kardashians. Ed.]. Nor is she shy about expressing herself on matters other than her career and her lovelife.

In an interview with Maclean's Magazine, published on Saturday, Ms Dion spoke her mind on many things, including the Charter of Québec Values proposed by that province's government.

If enacted, the Charter would effectively ban public employees from wearing "overt" religious symbols while at work. Is this a good idea or should Québec try harder to celebrate diversity and "accommodate" its religious and cultural minorities? Here's what Céline thinks.

Q: Lucien Bouchard once called you Québec's greatest ambassador.... Amnesty International just declared Québec's controversial charter of values as a limit on fundamental rights that further stigmatizes vulnerable women. Do you agree with Amnesty?

A: It's a very delicate question to answer because I'll hurt some people and please others but you have to have an opinion. For me, it's not about the veil; it's beyond that. I'm not against what people wear but if you go to the hospital, and you are in Québec and we have embraced you and opened our country for you to live in a better world, you have to adapt to our rules.

If the doctor is a boy or a girl, you're gonna see the doctor that [is] sent to [treat] you. You can’t just say, "My religion doesn't permit me to see a woman or a male doctor." That's the problem for me....

Q: Yet you've stood up for women's causes throughout the years.

A: Of course! It's just that these women who practise the things they believe in have to adapt to our country. They have to not change our laws. Because you have a lot of Anglican or veiled women in a school, you can’t just take off the cross from the walls, or take down Christmas trees. If I go live in their country and have to be veiled, I will.

Footnote: A few days ago the Parti Québecois released details of comments the government has received on the proposed charter. Of 27,000 letters, faxes, e-mails etc received, 47% were in favour of the Charter. Adding in those who would approve of it with some changes, the favourable response tops 60%.