Quebec's Bill Nine Threatens Campus Prayer Rooms

0:00It's March 31st. This is Canada News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Cory with the story. Quebec's Bill 9 could force Concordia University to shut down its prayer rooms just like other public spots on campus. The law expands Bill 21 from 2019, banning prayer spaces in places like universities unless the city approves them. It also stops religious only food options in public areas and requires faces uncovered for services. Meeting daycares, too. Earlier this month, Bill 9 moved through parliamentary committees with tweaks on March 17th. A university spokesperson says they'll have to follow the rules if it passes, leaving Muslim students and others without dedicated spots right now. Students are feeling the heat. Concordia's Muslim Student Association Press says the rooms stay open until the bill hits and they're teaming up with admins and faith groups to plan. Ahead, the student union worries it'll spark more complaints against prank kids and boost islamophobia on campus.

1:01Meanwhile, Bill 21 faces a big Supreme Court fight. Hearings kicked off March 23rd in Ottawa for four days, with groups like the National Council of Canadian Muslims calling it a second class. Citizenship move. Stats show 73% of Quebec Muslim women have thought about leaving the province over it. On the federal side, Bill C9 to fight hate crimes passed the House March 25th and heads to the Senate. As these battles play out, religious freedoms in Canada hang in the balance, pushing folks to rethink faith, jobs, and public life.