Quebec plans to table bill banning prayer in public
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/public-prayer-ban-quebec-1.7619985
The Quebec government is set to introduce a bill that would ban prayer in public spaces, framing it as part of its ongoing effort to reinforce secularism. Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge said the “proliferation of street prayer” is a sensitive issue and promised legislation this fall. Premier François Legault has backed the move, saying prayer should remain inside places of worship. While Muslims have been most visible in recent headlines, other faiths also hold public events in Quebec. The proposal comes amid broader attempts to expand Quebec’s secularism laws, including Bill 21, and arrives at a moment when the governing Coalition Avenir Québec faces declining poll numbers.
The advisory committee on secularism had recommended municipalities regulate religious events rather than the province imposing a ban, but the government is pushing forward with legislation. With tensions high and critics raising concerns about individual freedoms, this new bill promises to spark debate over where Quebec draws the line between secular values and personal religious expression.