Canadian court hears appeal to religious symbol ban

TRENTON, Canada  

A Canadian appeals court was told Tuesday that a new law in Quebec that bans religious symbols for most public employees affects women more than men, violating the country’s constitution.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees sexual equality and therefore overrules the province invoking a special clause that prevents a court challenge to the law, argued Olga Redko, a lawyer for the applicants, told the three Quebec Court of Appeal judges.

The law is being challenged by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, a civil liberties association, and a university student

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