Quebec’s proposed ban on the niqab – the veil covering the face of Muslim women – has united the two major political parties in Canada on at least one issue. Both the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party are backing by Quebec’s proposed prohibition.

The Quebec National Assembly has table this week the proposed ban, which has been criticized as a possible violation of freedom of religion.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper – through spokesman Dimitri Soudras – said Quebec’s plan has merit. Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff described the legislation as finding a good Canadian balance between defending Quebec values and accommodating minority religious groups.

However, constitutional experts warn the French-speaking province could be the subject of human rights complaints if it would pass such a legislation. University of Toronto Law School Professor Lorraine Weinrib explained that kind of law may be questioned as a violation of basic human rights.

Weinrib pointed out the bill not only bans, but imposes sanctions on violation of the prohibition, in particular a denial of health care services and education on females who obey the Muslim dress code. She said that kind of law would discriminate and place at a disadvantage people based on their religion and gender.

McGill University Law School Professor Robery Leckey predicts Quebec would face lawsuits from various groups if it will enact into law the proposal.

Muslim organization had also spoken against the proposal as a violation on religious rights. The ban on the use of the niqab or burka also covers Muslim women working in Quebec government agencies.