Durham Council Votes To Continue Saying Lord’s Prayer

Last year controversy over a Christmas tree in a Toronto court building raised ire and once again the debate about the role of religion within public institutions has emotions running high.

Earlier this week the Durham Regional Council decided to stop reciting the Lord’s Prayer before each meeting. The move sparked debate between those who see the recitation as a Canadian tradition and those who believe it alienates people of other faiths.

With its divisive decision the Durham politicians were adhering to a 1999 Ontario Court of Appeals ruling that says reciting the prayer is in violation of the Charter of Rights (see below).

After much debate on the issue, the Durham Council reversed its initial decision and decided in a 21 to four vote Wednesday afternoon on a compromise to continue saying the prayer.

“I believe we call on our Lord to direct us, to give us wisdom, to bring us together in harmony,” concerned citizen Zena Burns said.

But it was the minority of the council that believes religion doesn’t have a place in politics.

“I just cannot be a hypocrite and stand there and recite it when I don’t believe it,” one of the dissenting politicians, Uxbridge Mayor Bob Shepherd told the council.

But the prayer will be said before council meetings, so those who don’t want to participate don’t have to attend and it’s not forced on members of other faiths. This compromise was suggested by the regional chair.

“The Lord’s Prayer is a Christian prayer, and there’s not just Christians within the council or in the meetings,” said Mark Robinson of the Humanist Society of Canada.

“Everybody in there should be looked at as one, and what that prayer does is single out Christians.”

Some councillors and citizens made other proposals, including the reading of a non-denominational prayer that could be led by members of different religions. Others suggested a moment of silence could replace prayer.

One citizen suggested there should be a referendum in the upcoming municipal election, but that won’t happen until 2010.


The 70-year-old Holocaust survivor sued the town of Pentanguishene because he didn’t think it was appropriate to recite the prayer at council meetings. He refused to run for office in the municipality because the tradition went against his personal beliefs.

The Ontario Court of Appeal agreed with Freitag, ruling that the recitation of the prayer at a public meeting violated his right to freedom of religion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The court suggested the town use a non-denominational prayer to open meetings, similar to the one used in the House of Commons:

Almighty God, we give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity and peace that we enjoy. We pray for our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, and the Governor General. Guide us in our deliberations as Members of Parliament, and strengthen us in our awareness of our duties and responsibilities as Members. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions. Amen.

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