Consider this: There is much religious symbolism in the governance of Canada. Our Charter of Rights takes as a given that Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.” The Charter asserts that Freedom of Religion is a fundamental right. Our National Anthem invokes “God keep our land glorious and free”. The Parliament of Canada begins its day with a prayer asking God to guide its deliberations.

So the idea of “laïcité”, secularism, as public policy runs counter to our national theocratic bias. So let us entertain an alternate thesis that a law disallowing public employees from wearing religious attire is asserting that freedom of religion must equally allow and mandate freedom from religion. In effect, public religious symbols should not be worn by public employees in positions of authority or influence. Is there an argument that laïcité simply asserts that religious expression cannot be ‘marketed’ by public officials. This is an assertion of irreligious freedom – perhaps therefore Charter compliant.