A Canadian province has passed legislation that would bar civil servants in positions of "authority" from wearing religious symbols at work.
The Coalition Avenir Quebec's (CAQ) bill covers judges, police officers, teachers and other public figures.
It prevents the wearing of symbols such as the kippah, turban or hijab at work.
Also passed was an immigration bill that scraps some 18,000 pending applications from skilled immigrants, affecting some 50,000 people.
That controversial move is part of an immigration programme overhaul the government says will help the province meet labour market needs and improve the integration of newcomers.
The secularism bill in particular has sparked protests and debate in the province since its introduction.
It was passed late on Sunday night following a rare weekend sitting at the Quebec provincial legislature.
Existing employees will be exempt from the bill. [BBC] Read more
