Québec to Introduce Bill Banning Public Prayer

Cathedral-Basilica of Notre Dame in Quebec. Photo: Expedia

QUÉBEC CITY — The Québec government announced last week that it will introduce legislation this fall to ban prayer in public spaces, a move denounced by religious leaders and rights advocates as a violation of core liberties, according to reporting from The Guardian.

Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge said the bill aims to curb the “proliferation of street prayer,” following Premier François Legault’s calls to restrict public religious displays. “To see people praying in the street, in public parks, this is not something we want in Québec,” Legault said earlier.

Faith leaders expressed alarm over the proposal. Fr. Gleb Melnyk of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral said in an interview with the CBC that the measure risks discrimination, noting that outdoor religious processions have long enriched community life. Catholic bishops also questioned whether traditional rituals like Good Friday processions would be criminalized.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association warned the ban would undermine freedom of religion, expression, and assembly. Muslim prayers at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Montreal have fueled the debate, with the government considering use of the notwithstanding clause to shield the law from constitutional challenge.

The legislation would build on Québec’s secularism laws, including the 2019 ban on religious symbols for certain public employees, and comes amid rising political rhetoric over religion in public life.

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