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Ottawa City Council began its work Wednesday without its usual morning prayer following a Supreme Court of Canada decision that found such prayers were a violation of Charter rights.
Mayor Jim Watson said the city would withhold the prayer and review its practice in light of the high court ruling.
“Minutes ago, the Supreme Court of Canada issued (a) ruling on whether a municipal council’s recitation of a prayer before a meeting offends the Charter protection of freedom of conscience and religion,” Watson said in a statement. “As the Supreme Court has determined that reciting a prayer may contravene a municipal government’s duty of neutrality on matters of religious belief, and as it will take some time to fully assess this lengthy decision, City Council will not say a prayer this morning and will be reviewing this practice to ensure that the City of Ottawa conforms to the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
Council meetings usually begin with Watson asking people to stand as he recites a short two-line prayer that begins “Almighty God …” After a minute of silence, O Canada is sung and the meeting begins.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the municipal council in Saguenay, Que. cannot open its meetings with a prayer, saying that reciting a prayer at council meetings infringes on freedom of conscience and religion.
The decision puts an end to a nine-year legal battle that pit atheist Alain Simoneau and a secular-rights organization against Saguenay Mayor Jean Tremblay.
In 2011, Quebec’s human rights tribunal ordered an end to the prayers, demanded that a crucifix in the city council chamber be removed and awarded damages to Simoneau.
The Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the tribunal in 2013.
— With files from The Canadian Press
查看原文...
Mayor Jim Watson said the city would withhold the prayer and review its practice in light of the high court ruling.
“Minutes ago, the Supreme Court of Canada issued (a) ruling on whether a municipal council’s recitation of a prayer before a meeting offends the Charter protection of freedom of conscience and religion,” Watson said in a statement. “As the Supreme Court has determined that reciting a prayer may contravene a municipal government’s duty of neutrality on matters of religious belief, and as it will take some time to fully assess this lengthy decision, City Council will not say a prayer this morning and will be reviewing this practice to ensure that the City of Ottawa conforms to the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
Council meetings usually begin with Watson asking people to stand as he recites a short two-line prayer that begins “Almighty God …” After a minute of silence, O Canada is sung and the meeting begins.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the municipal council in Saguenay, Que. cannot open its meetings with a prayer, saying that reciting a prayer at council meetings infringes on freedom of conscience and religion.
The decision puts an end to a nine-year legal battle that pit atheist Alain Simoneau and a secular-rights organization against Saguenay Mayor Jean Tremblay.
In 2011, Quebec’s human rights tribunal ordered an end to the prayers, demanded that a crucifix in the city council chamber be removed and awarded damages to Simoneau.
The Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the tribunal in 2013.
— With files from The Canadian Press
查看原文...
