Simon Jolin-Barrette

Quebec Premier Francois Legault says his government wants to collect information on public servants wearing religious symbols to counter opponents who maintain proposed secularism legislation will lead to extensive firings.

A Quebec government initiative to determine how many teachers wear religious symbols also extended to include police officer, prosecutors and the judiciary, the minister responsible said on Monday, January 28, 2019.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault promised to bring renewal and change to the province's politics on Thursday, October 18, 2018, after his convincing election victory ended nearly 50 years of Liberal and Parti Quebecois rule.

The incoming Coalition Avenir Quebec government is facing criticism for saying it has no intention of removing the crucifix from the legislature, even as it plans to crack down on some civil servants who wear religious symbols.

More paid time off for workers, better services for English-speakers and a rapid transit line between Montreal and Quebec City were all part of Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard's pitch to voters as his party met in Quebec City this weekend.