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Canadian Mayor Seeks to Change Elections Law Affecting Orthodox Jews

June 9, 1960
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An effort to change the election law of the Province of Quebec, so that elections need not be scheduled on days when some citizens cannot vote because of religious holidays, will be made by the Outremont City Council acting on a request from Jewish organizations here, the Mayor announced here today.

Last spring, municipal elections in some wards in this city were held on the last day of Passover. According to Mayor Romauld Bourque. “we were all extremely disappointed that the elections this year happened to take place on a Jewish holiday.” The provincial election law forbade a change in the date when the conflict with Passover had been pointed out by local Jewish organizations.

Mayer Borque said today: “If it is humanly possible, we will see that there is no recurrence of this incident.” Meanwhile, the City Council has passed a resolution petitioning the Provincial legislature to a mend the election law, permitting the Council to change an election date. “We hope that the Legislature will grant our request,” the Mayor declared, “and at the same time make this bill one that will cover the whole Province of Quebec.”

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