SW News:

According to state-run media Radio-Canada, police in the Canadian city of Montreal have forbidden their officers from wearing religious symbols to work, particularly depictions of St. Michael the Archangel. 

A 2019 statute served as the foundation for the mandate of the City of Montreal Police Service, which was created in response to the  COP15 protests that took place in Montreal on 7th December 2022. In remembrance of the Canadian police's patron saint, numerous officers were seen that day on social media wearing badges that read "St. Michael guard us." 

However, representatives of the state in positions of authority are not permitted to wear religious symbols under the secularism law, also known as Bill 21, which was adopted in June 2019. It extends to state employees in positions of authority like teachers, police and judges by requiring a non-religious dress code on several categories of public servants. For example, Article 6 of the law prohibits wearing “clothing, a symbol, jewelry, adornments, accessories or headwear” that is connected to any religious belief or could be “reasonably considered” as such. 

A memo addressed to agents said, "After analysis, it was agreed that the shield of St. Michael worn by SPVM (Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal) personnel on their uniform constitutes a religious sign within the sense of the law. Consequently, we ask you now to kindly remove from your uniforms any crest symbolizing or referring to the Archangel Saint Michael, in order to comply with the law." 

The police union in Montreal stated it supports the request made by the force. The "Thin Blue Line," which has drawn criticism for its link with far-right organizations, was worn by SPVM officers last year.  This symbol has also been used to oppose the Black Lives Matter movement.