Quebec vote throws up divide

Teaching of world religion in schools and Quebec's Liberal government's decision  asking new non-French-speaking immigrants to pledge to learn the language have become issues in the Quebec election campaign.  Quebec votes December 18. 

Leader of Action Dmocratique du Quebec, Mario Dumont, sparked the controversy about teaching world religions on November 10 when he said that the new mandatory course on ethics and religious culture will confuse Quebec's children about their roots and identity. 

Dumont said the introduction of world religions in schools was inspired by former prime minister Pierre Trudeau's 'multicultrualism'.

According to a report in the Globe and Mail, Dumont called it 'the result of a society that isn't capable of standing up for itself.'

The course about world religions, part of the ethics and religious education, was introduced earlier this year by Quebec's Liberal government. Some parents say it undermines traditional Catholic instruction. 

These parents tried to get their children exempted from the course, in vain. So a couple of parents have reportedly challenged it in court.

'This course has been prepared by many groups in our society, religious groups, but also parents, who were consulted to prepare this course,' said Pauline Marois, the Party Quebecois leader.